Venting

I really wish that everyone around me could just really get what I am going through and how I really feel. For a week now I have had this enormous headache. All I want to do is stay in my bed and sleep all day long. I have my bedroom set up to stay dark all the time. In fact today I didn't come out of my bedroom until after 3 pm(except to go to the bathroom). I wish I could sleep all day but I can't, why because I very rarely sleep. I took my ambien at 9 pm last night but didn't doze off until after 4 this morning. I didn't sleep all that long, by 5 I was up with leg cramps, then back up by 6 to walk around a little, this kept on happening up until 8 until I finally gave up. But no one around here seems to get it.

My sister, who never takes care of herself has been sick because she went outside without shoes and got a cut on her foot, and now may have to have it amputated. So she is on 24 hour IV antibiotics to get rid of the blood/bone infection. Nobody questions it if she lives in bed all the time, but let me stay in bed and no one lets me get any rest. I still have to run for my boys and for her family. If she needs something they all expect me to just jump and help out. But when I need something no one is every there for me. Of course why should they you can't see what is wrong with me....It's all in my head!

Then there is my boyfriend who thinks if I am sick he can call in a few hours and all of a sudden I should be perfectly fine. He will never get how much pain I am in, or how I feel. I know it's mean but for one day I wish they could all go through what I do, feel all my pain, then have to work, run errands, cook, and clean. Then maybe they would all understand that sometimes I need a break and I actually need help. I don't think that I should have to say what's going on it should just be understood. I shouldn't have to ask for help they should just be there for me.

My bf says well I know when you really feel bad because that's when you complain. But when I do complain him and everyone else around me just seem to ignore me, so why the hell should I say anything. I don't have a choice to work, cook, clean, and everything else, if I didn't it wouldn't get done.

I am really going crazy right now just thinking about what's going to happen by June. My youngest turns 18, by that happening I will lose 1/2 of my income. He is on SSI due to his medical condition and his child support will go away. He will be going off to college so he will need all the money he can get. I would go get a second job if I think my body could handle it. I am hoping to have surgery in June, then maybe after recovering I can go out and get that second job to live off of it. I work my ass off and it has gotten me any where. My sister and her husband can live off the system(she gets SSI, her son gets SSI for autism, and they get foodstamps) and they live well.

I guess I am done complaining for now.

Feeling Crappy

I know I haven't been on here at all in a while. I guess I just didn't want to keep boring people with all of my complaints. I realize that no one really wants to hear about my aches and pains on a daily basis, no matter even though I am asked how I feel. That's one thing I have never understood, why would you ask someone how they feel, then ignore what they say, or act like they are overreacting. This is the reason when someone ask how I feel, I say I am fine.

The last two days I have had a major headache that has caused me to be very nauseous and in tears. But, I still have to go on and get things done, like grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and laundry, when I would rather just stay in bed all day in a very dark room. I don't do it because people around me, for one, doesn't seem to care when I am not feeling well,  two, don't want to hear how I actually feel, or three, don't believe me.

Another thing is, I have been having more problems with my eye sight. My eyes have been getting tired very quickly. They get very blurry, so it's harder for me to stare at anything for long.

I am hoping that surgery will make all of this better for me. Lately I have been seriously thinking about taking the time off work to go ahead with surgery because my headaches are getting worse on a daily basis. My only problem is that I probably wouldn't have anyone to take me to the hospital or bring me home.

This month I haven't done any form of working out and my eating habits have been horrible. I am going to get back on a good workout program and back to healthier eating habits. Thank goodness I haven't gained any more weight, I am not sure how that's happened, but I am happy about it.

It's Been a While

 I know it's been a couple of weeks since I have posted. After the last time I posted I got some sort of stomach bug. I threw up for 3 days and felt sick for another 2.

 Last Monday I finally saw a neurosurgeon, Dr. Ciricillo. He has been the first doctor to believe everything I said. He wants to do a brain decompression. Here is a little info on that. A posterior fossa decompression is a surgical procedure performed to remove the bone at the back of the skull and spine. The dura overlying the tonsils is opened and a patch is sewn to expand the space, similar to letting out the waistband on a pair of pants. The goals of surgery are to stop or control the progression of symptoms caused by tonsillar herniation, to relieve compression of the brainstem and spinal cord, and to restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The surgery takes about 2 to 3 hours and recovery in the hospital usually lasts 2 to 4 days. 
Except he is only doing the first part of the surgery. He doesn't feel I need the dura patch done. This will be a 4 to 8 week recovery. He feels this will help with my headaches, pain, tingling, and numbness. He also said my lack of weight loss could be caused by my chiari too. He thinks that should improve after surgery too. I have decided to wait until June to have this done. That way I will be off work for the summer and have a full 2 months before worrying about returning to work.

 I have been exercising. This month at work the focus for PE is aerobics. Last week we did 20 to 30 minutes of Sweating to the Oldies. I worked out along with the 5th grade classroom I work in. I am trying to get my student to participate but so far I haven't been successful.

 I still weigh the same. I seem to be at a stand still with weight loss. I am trying very hard though. I am hoping that the aerobics jump start my weight loss.

Day 2

Even though the first day seemed way to easy, I woke up with very sore legs and arms. Today I decided I needed to change up the challenge somewhat. My bladder cannot handle jumping jacks, so instead I ran in place, and for the push ups I am doing wall push ups.

I am getting more nervous about seeing the neurosurgeon in just a few weeks. I am afraid he's going to say he can't help me at all. But then there is the part of me that is so worn out, tired of pain, and sick of feeling sick and tired and can't wait to go see him.

I have had a constant migraine for the last week and 1/2 now. I just want someone to help me get rid of it and the insomnia I have.

New Challenge Day 1

It has been a very long stressful week. I wasn't sure if I actually was up to this challenge. I haven't been able to get rid of this horrible headache, neck, shoulder, hip pain. I haven't had any motivation and between home and work I am totally exhausted.

I have also been very rude lately. I am not sure if it's due to all the pain or if it's the lack of sleep. So when someone said I was just an overpaid babysitter, they didn't like my response. But any way....

Here is my new challenge, day 1 done!

No Motivation

 Lately I haven't had any motivation to get me started. On top of that I have been dealing with a horrible headache that has lasted now for about a week. Today it has gotten much worse to the point I am nauseated. While at my sister's house for dinner, I reached over and turned off Jake's phone, that was playing loud music. I probably pissed off a few people because they were all enjoying the music, but I just couldn't take it any more.

 I have found a new challenge that I will be starting hopefully tomorrow. I need to get back into this. I don't plan on getting on my bike for a while. I have had this horrible pain in my hip for the last 3 days. It hurts to walk.

Been Busy

I know it's been about 3 weeks since I posted. I am sorry I haven't posted but I have not only been busy but just not feeling like blogging. Since the last time I posted I had a very busy week. Jake is in FFA and raising a steer so last week was time to take it to fair: for weigh in, market show(which he won 2nd in this), showmanship, and auction. This started Tuesday and didn't end until Sunday. So, it was off to work by 7:15 am, after work it was up to the fair grounds, then not home until around 10:00 pm or later. I was totally exhausted!  Then the next week Henry was here and I hadn't seen him for over a month. I wasn't on the computer much at all.

I have been weighing in but nothing has changed. I am actually very surprised about that because I haven't been doing anything to help it out. I haven't exercised at all in 2 1/2 weeks, but I haven't gained a pound. I even put on some of my jeans last week and they weren't tight any more, they are actually a bit loose.

I plan on getting back on the "horse" next week.

I have had some days of not eating great. Like today I had a bad day at work, came home to my son doing something he shouldn't be at my house, then it was off to put gas in my car. While doing that I had a very rude man come up to and say some very inappropriate things. One of them hurt me so much. He said no man would want me do to my looks and my size. This shouldn't have really bothered me because I have been dating the same person for 3 years now, but it did. So I went to the store and bought a doughnut. I found myself yet again eating all my feelings. It is one thing that has been the hardest thing to change.

I have an official appointment with my neurosurgeon on November 4th. I can't say I have ever been scared and excited all at the same time in a long time.

9/20/13

I know it's been a few days since I have posted. I have been questioning why the hell I am doing this. Why am I doing this to myself and is this all worth it just to be thinner. I am putting my body in so much pain it isn't funny any more. Between work that is exhausting, all these headaches, and all the stress I wake up every morning in so much pain. Lately it seems like every day is getting worse. I don't sleep any more between insomnia, and sever muscle spasms I can't think straight any more. I started taking magnesium for the leg cramps and upped the amount of water I drink but the spasms are just getting worse. I have been doing less and less workout time. I don't know if it's worth all the tears it's putting me through. I am not saying I am quitting this weight loss journey but I know I need to cut back to keep my sanity. I really need to get through this rough patch or in chiari talk flare up.

I am looking forward to having my MRI Monday and then making an appointment with the neurosurgeon to see if he has answers. I want to see if he can truly help me before I go totally insane.  

9/17/13

Last night I woke up with really bad leg cramps all night long. There were clouds this morning which makes my head hurt even worse. Work wasn't horrible, but at one point I felt very nauseous. At the end of the day my sister text and asked if I could bring her 7 year old as her other son had an appointment. Of course I said yes because he's at the same school I work at. I ran him home and she asked if it would be possible if I could come back at and watch him at 4 because his brother had another appointment. I ran home and to 7/11 I really needed caffeine. I went back over there, they left and I helped Zach with his homework. My sis came home and fixed dinner ( thanks to her big time). I missed picking Jake up in between there. We then went from there to the farm. He walked and took care of the steer.

We came home to ants all over the kitchen and of course no ant killer.  Jake grabbed the pine sol and started spraying. Then off to the store to get something for that. I bought a refill for something I already had at home. So here I sat trying my hardest to get the old sprayer off to put it on the new one. I couldn't find a screw driver that would work. I finally get the stupid thing off, but getting it back on was so hard for me. I ended up sitting here in tears because my hands didn't want to hold the small screw driver that it needed. I really hate this when you have a horrible headache, trying to do something that has to be done and no one to help you.

Tonight I am sitting here really hating chiari and all of the horrible symptoms that it causes. No I haven't done a workout and probably won't.

Chiari fact for tonight. Chiair can take away your fine motor skills, your thought process, your memory, and sometimes your independence.

9/16/13

I have been running every where today. I finally got to my workout tonight. I did the ab workout, legs, and cardio tonight. I swear these workouts seem like they are longer than 5 minutes per workout. I am totally exhausted. I am hoping to try to add one more of the workouts every night until I can get all of them in. Then I will try to up how long I do them.

Chiari info for today,

Is This Condition Hereditary?

Researchers investigated the genetic implications of the Chiari malformation with or without syringomyelia. A genetic prevalence has been identified in some families. Researchers continue to search for the gene(s) that are responsible for producing the Chiari malformation.

MRI scanning is recommended for family members who have signs or symptoms of the disorder.

Is 

Weigh in 9/15/13

I was surprised when I had stepped on the scale I hadn't gained any weight. I thought for sure after a week of not a lot of workouts and a lot of stress I would have gained 5 lbs. However I didn't lose any either and my measurements are the same. I am at a stand still. I don't think that 7 minute workout was for me. I thought I would search my apps and find something new and that might motivate me. I found one that I like so far. It's called daily workout, it has 6 things to choose from, ab, arm, butt, cardio, leg, and full. You can also choose if you want to do 5 minutes, 8, or a 10 minute workout. Today while laying in bed watching the Giants beat the Dodgers again I decided to try it. I started with the ab one, the hard part on this was the last exercise of planks. I then tried leg workout it was pretty good. I did the 5 minutes on both of them. It also tells you what exercises it will be doing with that workout. Tomorrow I will pick 2 of the other ones to try. I can keep the variety up and choose how long I want to spend or can do each day. Then eventually try the full workout. I typed in free workouts and it was the first one/ It's called Daily Workout Free. It has stick people in different color pieces, pink, red, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

Chiari fact for tonight,

After Surgery

This operation may take about 3 to 5 hours.  You may spend the night of surgery in the intensive care unit.  When you are stable, you will be moved to a general care floor for a total stay of about 3 to 5 days.

It is best to avoid coughing, lifting, and straining for the next 3 months.  If you should become sick with a severe cough during this time, a doctor may prescribe a cough medicine.  You and your doctor will decide when you should return to work.

9/14/13

Again no sleep last night at all. I swore to myself I was going to sleep until noon, or at least 12 pm eastern time. I woke up at 7:30 am my time. It really sucks! I would almost do anything for something that would knock me out.

Today I got some house work done but most of all I have been pretty lazy. I managed to get dinner in the crock pot. I took Jake to the farm and came. That's when my stomach started really hurting. I am not sure why. But hey, the bright side of it is that it might help on the scales tomorrow. I did manage to get in 15 minutes on my bike. I am in so much pain right now and can't seem to stay out of the bathroom. I know TMI.

Thank God it's Friday 9/13/13

I am so happy this long week is over with and I have the weekend it recuperate. I am totally exhausted physically and emotionally. All I can say is that June needs to get here fast so this year can be over. I am sure it's going to drag out and seem like it will never get here.

Again today I was on my feet most of the day. My feet are so swollen they hurt to walk on them. I also forgot to put my meds into my lunch bag today. I had to wait until I got home and by then everything hurt 10x times more.

After resting for a while I did manage 15 minutes on my bike and 40 crunches. I didn't think I could make it through the 7 minute work out but I could be off my feet while riding the bike.  Here are a couple of pics of my feet.

I seriously don't know how much longer I can go on like this without really hurting myself. I wish I had a better education so I could have a cushy job in so office and only had to get up when I need to, not have to.

I was sad that I had to call and cancel my neurosurgeon appointment for Tuesday but I haven't gotten my approval for my new MRI. He doesn't want to see my until I have that.

Chiari facts for tonight

During Surgery

A small amount of hair on the back of your head is shaved.  An up and down incision is made from the middle of the neck to the back of your head.  After more room is made for the back of the brain, the tissue cover of the brain (dura) is stitched together.  A dural patch graft is used which may come from your own tissue or from a man-made patch (Gore-Tex). 

9/12/13

After sleeping about 1/2 hour last night I woke this morning in extreme pain. I could barely walk, and keep my balance. I am not sure if it's my chiari or the workouts I have been doing or the combination of both. I sucked it up and got ready and went to work when I just wanted to go back to bed and hide. I had a very long and stressful day at work. My student was great in the morning, but in the afternoon he blew. Here I was chasing him around the library trying to keep him from throwing the books off the shelf. I did this for almost 30 minutes straight. I did make through the work day but I don't know how.

After work I headed to Walmart to pick up dog food for my son's dog and printer ink. Well they didn't have the printer ink so off to Staples I went I got my printer ink. When coming out of Staples the pounding in my head started thanks to the construction workers using a jack hammer across the street. My head hurt so bad that I my vision was blurring. I couldn't drive all the way home like that so I drove a short distance across the street to the $1 Tree. I wanted to get some ibuprofen to see if that would easy my pain so I could get myself home. I walked around in there for a while. I picked up a few other things too. When finished I went to my car and popped a handful of ibuprofen into my mouth and closed my eyes. I eventually made it home, then took 2 of my tramadol. Thank goodness dinner had been cooking in the slow cooker all day(I prepared it last night). But of course my day wasn't done.

I am sitting here now at almost 9 pm with a pounding in the back of my head and my ears. I haven't been online much today because my vision has been blurring easily. I am not sure if all of this was brought on by the workouts, or the jack hammer, or it's just the lack of sleep I haven't gotten in over a month now.

Chiari fact for tonight.

I guess I forgot to mention I didn't do any kind of workout thus far tonight and pretty much doubt I will be able to.

A Better Day

This new workout is kicking my butt. My knees, legs and upper arms are so sore. Like I said last night that must mean it's doing something. Now if it just shows it on the scale or measurements this week. Work was better today so I didn't have swollen feet.

For tonight's workout I changed things up somewhat. I didn't do the full 7 minutes but did 5 instead. The first exercise is jumping jacks, instead I ran in place. I think my bladder liked that better. Then was the wall sit, I found this a little harder tonight. It then calls for push ups, for me wall push ups do the same thing and easier for me to do. Instead of the chair step ups, I just did steps ups on the wii board. Then was the crunches, I think I have done so many of these it's like nothing doing 30 seconds of them. I just did more wall push ups instead of the chair dips. Next were planks, I didn't do so well on those. I did the squats, and lunges. I did more wall push ups because there is no way I am going to do the push up rotations.I tried the side planks that was a mistake. I fell almost on my face. I ended the workout after that.

Chiari facts tonight

What research is being done?

Within the Federal government, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports and conducts research on brain and nervous system disorders, including Chiari malformations. The NINDS conducts research in its laboratories at the NIH, in Bethesda, Maryland, and supports research through grants to major medical research institutions across the country.

In one study, NINDS scientists are trying to better understand the genetic factors responsible for the malformation by examining individuals with CM who have a family member with either a CM or syringomyelia.

NINDS scientists are examining individuals who either have syringomyelia or are at risk of developing the disorder, including patients with Chiari I malformation. By recording more than 5 years of symptoms, muscle strength, general level of functioning, and MRI scan findings from individuals who receive standard treatment for syringomyelia, researchers can obtain more information about factors that influence its development, progression, and relief of symptoms. Study  results may allow scientists to provide more accurate recommendations to future patients with syringomyelia regarding optimal surgical or non-surgical treatment of their condition.

AN NIH study is reviewing an alternative surgical treatment for syringomyelia. By examining people with syringomyelia, in which there is an obstruction in CSF flow, NIH scientists hope to learn whether a surgical procedure that relieves the obstruction in CSF flow can correct the problem without having to cut into the spinal cord itself. The NIH’s Management of Myelomeningocele Study is comparing prenatal surgery to the conventional post-birth approach of closing the opening in the spine and back that is common to some forms of CM. The study will enroll 200 women whose fetuses have spina bifida and will compare the safety and efficacy of the different surgeries. Preliminary clinical evidence of intrauterine closure of the myelomeningocele suggests the procedure reduces the incidence of  shuntdependent hydrocephalus and restores the cerebellum and brain stem to more normal configuration. At 1 year and 2 ½ years after surgery the children will be tested for motor function, developmental progress, and bladder, kidney, and brain development.

Stressful Day!!!

I woke up in so much pain from my new workout yesterday. I guess that's a good thing because I must have done something right...right?

Today at work I was on my feet and out in the heat from 7:15 am to 1:00 pm. I was trying to convince my student to go in and sit in his seat, but he had other things on his mind, like keeping me outside and moving. By the time I got home my feet and knees were swollen, I am sunburned, a bad headache, and nauseous(I can't tolerate the heat very well at all and it happened to be over 100 degrees here again today.

On a good note the doctor's office finally got back to the pharmacy. Today after over a week I finally got all my meds. Maybe now I can get this pounding in my head under control, my bladder, my acid reflux, and pain.

 I really wish for once a doctor could live in our shoes. Maybe then they wouldn't wait over a week to refill medication that helps us function, or actually prescribe something that actually works.

While I am on a bitching rant tonight. I really wish people who have gastric bypass wouldn't give anyone suggestions on how to lose weight. Especially when that person is trying to do it the hard way, and has a medical condition. Seriously, you cheated! You had surgery!

Another thing lately is that I wish my family or someone who is suppose to care would really listen. Instead if I mention how I feel(especially when they ask) they change the subject quickly without saying I am sorry, or how can I help. Instead of talking about some stupid ass game! Really, they get mad when they ask how I am and I reply I fine, but when I really tell them they don't seem to care. I am sorry but I am worn out, stressed, and haven't slept in over a month, well more than 2 hours in a night and that's not a straight 2 hours.

Some chiari facts tonight: Did you know things like coughing, sneezing, and yes even laughing can make a chiari headache 10 times worse?

 I got to complaining to much I forgot to mention that I didn't do the full 7 minute workout due to my swollen feet but I did do crunches, wall sit, and wall push ups.

9/9/13 New Work-out

Tonight I changed up things a bit. A friend(LeAnn) sent me a link to an app for a 7 minute work out. So I thought I would give it a try.

It starts out with jumping jacks. I did about 40 of them in the 30 seconds allowed. The only problem with this exercise is that my bladder doesn't like it when I jump, but I got through it. Next was a 30 second wall sit. I didn't have any issues doing that at all. Next, was push ups, I didn't great on those at all. I got in 10 but only 3 were probably acceptable ones. Then it had you do crunches, this was way too easy I got 70 done in the 30 seconds allowed. Then it went to chair step ups, I didn't attempt this at all. All of my chairs are very old and I would break something, (either the chair or me). Then it went on to squats, my knees suck but I managed 20 of them. Next, I also skipped chair dips, I don't trust my arms after doing the push ups. It then went to, planks, 30 seconds of a full plank which I did horrible on. Next was high knee lifts ,  those were easy, then to the lunge, I didn't do so great. I didn't even attempt the push up rotation. By now my arms are killing me but I tried the planks which went from one side to the other, I maybe got 10 seconds out of a minute. That is how it ended. I will try to keep improving on that and try to do them all.

9/8/13

I got ahead om my headache today but it took a lot of caffeine.  I don't drink coffee that often unless it's cold out(it was over 100 degrees today) or a frapp from starbucks(which is rarely) but I thought it might help my headache. I drank 2 cups of coffee and a coke, and of course about 6 bottles of water. It helped some but made me jittery. I am not sure why but I have been very shaky today. I thought it was my blood sugar but it wasn't. I have also been off balance today. I have almost fell on my face a few time and I did fall into the wash machine this afternoon. It's like my hip just freezes up and it doesn't want to move, then all of sudden I am trying to catch myself. I am hoping all my meds are filled when I get off work tomorrow.

As far as my weight it's the same as last week and so is my measurements. I am hoping that will change next week with me starting a new crunch challenge. I forced myself to get on my bike tonight and I made it 20 minutes.

Chiari facts for tonight.

How are they classified?

CMs are classified by the severity of the disorder and the parts of the brain that protrude into the spinal canal.

Type I involves the extension of the cerebellar tonsils (the lower part of the cerebellum) into the foramen magnum, without involving the brain stem. Normally, only the spinal cord passes through this opening. Type I—which may not cause symptoms—is the most common form of CM and is usually first noticed in adolescence or adulthood, often by accident during an examination for another condition. Type I is the only type of CM that can be acquired.

Type II, also called classic CM, involves the extension of both cerebellar and brain stem tissue into the foramen magnum. Also, the cerebellar vermis (the nerve tissue that connects the two halves of the cerebellum) may be only partially complete or absent. Type II is usually accompanied by a myelomeningocele—a form of spina bifida that occurs when the spinal canal and backbone do not close before birth, causing the spinal cord and its protective membrane to protrude through a sac-like opening in the back. A myelomeningocele usually results in partial or complete paralysis of the area below the spinal opening. The term Arnold-Chiari malformation (named after two pioneering researchers) is specific to Type II malformations.

Type III is the most serious form of CM. The cerebellum and brain stem protrude, or herniate, through the foramen magnum and into the spinal cord. Part of the brain’s fourth ventricle, a cavity that connects with the upper parts of the brain and circulates CSF, may also protrude through the hole and into the spinal cord. In rare instances, the herniated cerebellar tissue can enter an occipital encephalocele, a pouch-like structure that protrudes out of the back of the head or the neck and contains brain matter. The covering of the brain or spinal cord can also protrude through an abnormal opening in the back or skull. Type III causes severe neurological defects. 

Type IV involves an incomplete or underdeveloped cerebellum—a condition known as cerebellar hypoplasia. In this rare form of CM, the cerebellar tonsils are located in a normal position but parts of the cerebellum are missing, and portions of the skull and spinal cord may be visible.

Another form of the disorder, under debate by some scientists, is Type 0, in which there is no protrusion of the cerebellum through the foramen magnum but headache and other symptoms of CM are present.

9/7/13

I wasn't going to post because there isn't anything to really say. I have been in bed most of the day with pain and a headache. I got to take Jake to feed his steer 2 times, to take Troy to work, and we went to my sister's for dinner. I am home again and thinking of already going back to bed. I feel like total crap today. I hope tomorrow is a better day for me.

Fed Up With My Doctor

After work I stopped by the pharmacy and the doctor's office still hasn't approved my prescription refills. So I am stuck over the weekend with out my meds and this is going on a week now without them. My pain and headaches are increasing. I did call the doctor's office and they said they had been really busy and they would get right on it. Of course they lied. I just wish for once a doctor and their staff would have to go through what I have for the last week.

Even though I am not feeling the best and work was just wonderful I did make myself get in 15 minutes on the bike. I haven't yet done my crunches yet. I am hoping for some much needed sleep tonight and less pain in the morning. I know I am dreaming.

Here is the chiair info for tonight.

 Are other conditions associated with Chiari malformations?

Individuals who have a CM often have these related conditions:

Hydrocephalus is an excessive buildup of CSF in the brain. A CM can block the normal flow of this fluid, resulting in pressure within the head that can cause mental defects and/or an enlarged or misshapen skull. Severe hydrocephalus, if left untreated, can be fatal. The disorder can occur with any type of CM, but is most commonly associated with Type II.

Spina bifida is the incomplete development of the spinal cord and/or its protective covering. The bones around the spinal cord don’t form properly, leaving part of the cord exposed and resulting in partial or complete paralysis. Individuals with Type II CM usually have a myelomeningocele, a form of spina bifida in which the bones in the back and lower spine don’t form properly and extend out of the back in a sac-like opening.

Syringomyelia, or hydromyelia, is a disorder in which a CSF-filled tubular cyst, or syrinx, forms within the spinal cord’s central canal. The growing syrinx destroys the center of the spinal cord, resulting in pain, weakness, and stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms, or legs. Other symptoms may include headaches and a loss of the ability to feel extremes of hot or cold, especially in the hands. Some individuals also have severe arm and neck pain.

Tethered cord syndrome occurs when the spinal cord attaches itself to the bony spine. This progressive disorder causes abnormal stretching of the spinal cord and can result in permanent damage to the muscles and nerves in the lower body and legs. Children who have a myelomeningocele have an increased risk of developing a tethered cord later in life.

Spinal curvature is common among individuals with syringomyelia or CM Type I. Two types of spinal curvature can occur in conjunction with CMs: scoliosis, a bending of the spine to the left or right; and kyphosis, a forward bending of the spine. Spinal curvature is seen most often in children with CM, whose skeleton has not fully matured.

CMs may also be associated with certain hereditary syndromes that affect neurological and skeletal abnormalities, other disorders that affect bone formation and growth, fusion of segments of the bones in the neck, and extra folds in the brain.

9/5/13 Just Lazy

I have been out of my ibuprofen and tramadol for 4 days now. For some reason the doctor's office hasn't given the pharmacy their ok yet. I have called them and ask them to hurry up and get it done, but nobody ever listens to me. So, my headaches have been pretty bad, and the pain in my neck, back, and legs don't feel great either. I am hoping they fill my scripts by tomorrow. Tonight I don't feel like getting on that bike or doing much of anything. I did walk a lot around school today, and I am going to try to get my crunches done before bed time, which is coming soon.

Here is a little chiari info for tonight.

What causes these malformations?

CM has several different causes. It can be caused by structural defects in the brain and spinal cord that occur during fetal development, whether caused by genetic mutations or lack of proper vitamins or nutrients in the maternal diet. This is called primary or congenital CM. It can also be caused later in life if spinal fluid is drained excessively from the lumbar or thoracic areas of the spine either due to injury, exposure to harmful substances, or infection. This is called acquired or secondary CM. Primary CM is much more common than secondary CM.

9/4/13

I don't want to start all my post saying it was a long day but since I started back to work that's what every day has been. Today I didn't work but took my son to the doctor. I drove a little over 3 hours there and 3 hours home. My back and head is killing me tonight. That being said I did do 20 minutes on my bike but only 20 crunches.

I think starting Sunday I am going to start the 30 day crunch challenge again. I seem to do better when there is some sort of challenge. This way I can't say I don't feel like doing it, I just do it. It's probably what I need to keep me going.

Tonight's chiair information.

Chiari malformations (CMs) are structural defects in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. Normally the cerebellum and parts of the brain stem sit in an indented space at the lower rear of the skull, above the foramen magnum (a funnel-like opening to the spinal canal). When part of the cerebellum is located below the foramen magnum, it is called a Chiari malformation.

CMs may develop when the bony space is smaller than normal, causing the cerebellum and brain stem to be pushed downward into the foramen magnum and into the upper spinal canal. The resulting pressure on the cerebellum and brain stem may affect functions controlled by these areas and block the flow of cerebro spinal fluid (CSF)— the clear liquid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord—to and from the brain.

9/3/13

Today has been the worst day at work since school starting back. I chased  followed my student around the whole school at least 5 times. I also had to physically remove him from class, he weighs around 90 lbs. I am totally exhausted tonight. The boys and my sister has kept me busy since getting off work. It was can you help Zach with his homework (she had some eye injections today) I can't see. Then the boys wanting rides here and there. Then going to the farm.

As far the bike, my knees are killing me and my feet are swollen, and I also feel like I had enough cardio for today. I have done 60 crunches though.

9/2/13

I woke up this morning with a killer headache and feeling very nauseous.  Maybe my headache wouldn't be so bad if I could get more then 2 hours sleep a night. I haven't slept more then 3 hours a night for over a month. Insomnia is part of chiari. I have been in bed for most of the day in a nice dark quiet room. I also have had my phone off most of the day or the volume off including the ringer. I only went out of the house 2 times both to take Jake to feed his steer.

My biggest problem with people when you tell them you don't feel well, they feel the need to try to call or text you all day. If you tell someone you're not feeling well and you have been in bed all day they should just leave you alone and not bug you.

I did do 40 crunches while laying in bed. After taking Jake to the farm I came back and tried to do my bike but was only able to get 10 minutes done. This bike is so loud and annoying when you have a headache. I wish I could find a cheap bike new or used that is quiet.

Here is the chiair facts for tonight:

Some people with Chiari malformations may have no symptoms. Others may have symptoms such as:

• dizziness
• muscle weakness
• numbness
• vision problems
• headaches
• problems with balance and coordination

Chiari malformations affect females more often than males.

Weigh In September 1st

I was really worried about stepping on that scale this morning with the way I have been eating. But I guess it wasn't all bad. I haven't lost anything but I didn't gain any. My waist and hips are the same, but I haven't been doing any crazy crunch/ab workouts, but maybe I should.

Tonight I helped Jake wash the steer. Then I came home and did 20 minutes on my bike. I also did 60 crunches tonight. Hopefully I am back on the right track.

Today kicks off Chiari Awareness month. So here is a pick of the difference between a regular brain and a chiari brain. Some doctors feel that this size of the herniation makes a difference in the pain, but in reality size doesn't matter. Someone with a 1 mm herniation may have more pain and symptoms than someone with a 14 mm herniation. Mine is at 7 mm, on my last mri.

Disappointed in Myself

I forgot to post last night so I will catch you up on it now. I had a very stressful day at work. Then it was grocery shopping and taking my son to do something. I got home around 7 pm. Then it was off to the farm with my youngest son to feed and work with his steer. I got home and finally ate dinner around 8:30. I was very exhausted and feeling horrible so I went to bed not doing any work out at all. I did even have the strength to take a shower.

I didn't sleep well at all. It was an up and down night. I had a horrible headache when I woke up and still have it tonight. I still had a few things to do today. I went and fed Jake's steer at 10 am because he had band practice all day starting at 8 am. I then decided to get the grocery shopping done today because by tomorrow the stores will be crazy because it will be the first. I went to Grocery Outlet about 10 miles away. I got my groceries and headed to the check out line. I grabbed a diet pepsi and then I saw it a box of 6 doughnuts. I should have never picked up that box. I hadn't ate before I left the house so I decided to open it and have one on my ride home. Before I knew it I ate all 6 of them. I haven't done anything like that in at least 5 years. I am not sure why I did that.

I have been eating a lot of things I shouldn't be since going back to work. I feel it's all the stress I have been put under at work. I am having a hard time dealing with it and know it's probably going to get worse. So I am doing what comes natural...eating. I really need to find some way of dealing with it other than eating. I am so very disappointed in myself right now.

Again tonight I haven't done any form of exerciser. My head is killing me. I do plan on getting some crunches in when it cools off tonight. It's still 90 degrees in my house. I do know that I won't be climbing on that noisy bike tonight.

I also got pissed off at my sister tonight. She had made dinner and I had promised to go over, so I did. Then she tells me right after dinner I am sorry but I need to go to bed I am in a lot of pain. I said I know how that feels. Then she responded with I don't think you know what kind of pain I am in and there's no way you could have this much. I thought she understood the whole chiari thing and how much pain I could have but she didn't. What really pisses me off is that she is on a ton of pain meds. She has a pain patch, norcos, and muscle relaxers. But no doctor has found anything causing the pain. They have found what is causing my pain but won't give me anything other than ibuprofen and tramadol. Don't get me wrong, I don't want any of those pain meds, but how the hell did she get them to give her all those with no reason for the pain. Sorry for my bitching but just had to get that out there.

8/29/13

Today was a very, very long day at work for me. I think I took my student on about 5, 15 minute walks today and that's not counting the other walking I did around campus. I have been on my feet so much the last 2 days they have been swollen so they hurt to walk on them. Today I also not only sat in something wet, but I snagged the butt of my pants. Then after work I went and baby sat my nephews. I finally got home after 7 pm tonight.

However, I managed to get on my bike and ride 20 minutes and do my 50 crunches.

Change of Mind

Due to a comment from a great friend LeAnn I have decided to continue with my blog. I can't let negative people ruin what I have started. There may be someone somewhere that I am helping. So if you don't like my blog please discontinue reading it.

I had a very long stressful day at work and I am in a lot of pain from last 2 nights bike rides. I am not going to do the bike tonight but have done 50 crunches.

September kicks off National Chiari Awareness month. I will try to post 1 fact a day during that month. I may repeat some information that I have already given because frankly I can't remember what I have posted. It will be easier to repeat then me to go through every post and reread them.

8/27/13 Last Post

This may be my last post. I am probably being to sensitive but some people are just mean. Believe me I am not doing this for attention. I am also actually doing everything I have posted. I am not just being a fat lazy person making people think I am working out and not doing it. I guess I take things seriously and it hurts when someone is just cruel. In my mind if I don't blog then mean people can't make cruel remarks that I keep having to get rid of. Like every decision I have made in my life this seems like another bad one. I just intended to not only educate people on this disease and show myself I can actually lose weight. I din't do it to be made fun or bullied, I had enough of that through school.

Tonight I did do 32 minutes and little over 6 miles on my bike.

Monday 8/26/13

For being a minimum day at work I feel like it was a full day. I am totally exhausted. I came home and vegged in front of the computer for a while. I then cooked dinner, then took Jake to the farm. While there I swept up the hay and brushed the steer. Boy, did he come close to licking me in the face...yuck!

I am wondering how I got the energy up to ride my bike. I didn't do just my usual 20 minutes tonight. I actually did 30 minutes! I think with being on fb and playing candy crush and pet rescue kept me busy. I beat 2 levels on candy while riding tonight. I have also manage my 50 crunches...yay me!

I think I am going to shower and maybe lay down for a while. I am sure Troy will text for a ride around 10 pm. I have 2 hours to go for that.

Better Day/Weigh In

I still have a headache and a pounding in my ears but it is way more tolerable. I didn't too much at all today. I just took it easy. I took Jake to feed the steer, then laid in bed until almost 2 pm. Then just spent time watching the Giants play...they won last night and today!!! I also spent time on fb. I then took Troy to work and went to my sister's for dinner, then out to watch Jake work with the steer. When I got home I did my 20 minutes on the bike, I only managed 3.74 miles and 388 calories burnt, I just wasn't riding as fast. I then did only 40 crunches, but I did some.

As far as weigh in, I got on the scales first thing this morning and they were very nice to me today. I lost another pound! I am at 229 lbs! For me that is a big deal, I have not weighed under 230 lbs in many years. I didn't measure myself because I am bloated.

I guys don't want to hear this so if you're one you might want to stop reading now. I have talked to many other women suffering with chiari and around their time of the month their headaches and pains get worse. I believe that's why my headache has been terrible the last few days. It always gets bad around that time of the month.

Terrible, Awful, Horrible Head Pain

I thought that I did my blog last night but it's not there tonight. So I will start with it.  Yesterday was busy between work, the Olive Festival Parade, and feeding the steer, but I managed to do my 20 minutes on my bike and my crunches.

This morning as soon as I woke up at 7 am I felt stabbing pains in my head. It hurt to move it at all. I got up and took my meds and went back to bed. I kept dozing but my head wasn't feeling much better. At 10 I got up and took more of my ibuprofen and tramadol, but took an extra tramadol. I laid back down and dozed again off and on. for a little while. I remembered I had promised to feed the steer for Jake becaue he had to be at the festival site by 7 am and I didn't want to get up that early. I managed to put some clothes on and go feed the steer, run to the store, and get some caffeine. I came back home and laid in bed until around 1 pm. I took some more meds. I finally have my headache to where I can deal with it. I promised yesterday that I would make dinner tonight at my sister's house and I managed to do that. I am home but still not feeling great so it's going to be a night off from the bike. I can tolerate the headache but if I got on that noisy bike I am sure it would get bad again. I did manage to get 40 crunches done today. I am hoping tomorrow is a better day!

Two Days in One

I remembered last night, on my way to bed, that I hadn't come on here to post. At that point I was just to tired and had to be up extra early.

Yesterday was my first day back after summer break but not the students first day. Even though it was still a very long and tiring day. Too much sitting, too much walking, and not use to having to do it all. I know it had only been 2 months but it seemed like it was my first day back after 6 months or so.

I did manage to ride my bike and do my crunches yesterday and today. I am exhausted but I tend to keep it up.

Today was my students first day back and so far so good. On a side note there wasn't any work required today, mostly only listening.

Another teacher today ask why I wasn't at the senior(my youngest son is a senior this year) breakfast. I just told her I had a lot to do this morning. In reality if they really knew what it took for me to just get myself ready in the mornings maybe they wouldn't ask, but of course I could explain but I don't think they would get it all.

I start out a work morning by setting my clock 30 minutes earlier than I need. I get up and take my morning meds. I then return to bed for 30 minutes, long enough for the ibuprofen and tramadol to take the edge off my headache. I get up, do some small things, get something small to eat so I don't vomit. I get Jake up. Then I try to finish getting ready for work. Sometimes(most of the times) I have to sit in between getting my hair and make up done before getting it all done and I am out the door.

This morning was crazy because we had to feed the steer, come home, Jake got ready while I laid down, I took him to the breakfast at 6:10, then managed to come home and finish getting ready before I had to be out the door by 7:10. I don't think they would have wanted me there in my pjs.

8/20/13

Last night was yet another sleepless night. So what do I do when I can't sleep? I usually watch some tv, when bored with that then, fb/candy crush on my phone, and for the last few months I work with my elastic bands. I am trying to keep my legs and arms from getting to weak. So at 2 this morning I used my bands and did some leg lifts.

Today I got laundry done, vacuumed, mopped, and not much else. Oh I did 50 crunches while watching Dr. Phil. Cooked dinner, then usual at the farm while Jake was walking/working with his steer. I swept up the hay and other stuff at there, and then brushed the bull. When we first started out there this year the bull was very mean and slammed his head against the gate when I walked up there. Now he comes running and moos until I brush him.

I came home and did my 20 minutes on my bike. Altogether a pretty good day. I have to admit I am not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. I just don't know how I am going to handle a student I have to get physical with(moving him/removing him from class) he's a very big 10 year old.

8/19/13

Today I figured I need to just ignore whatever is going on with my back because nothing is helping it at all. I sucked it up and did my crunches and leg lifts. As of today I can do 50 crunches/sit ups without stopping. I only did the 50 but I was proud of myself for being able to do that. I also did 20 leg lifts.

I thought I would share a scary moment with you that happened last night while cooking dinner. I was making twice baked potatoes. I had mixed all my ingredients together and it was pretty creamy, so I tasted it to make sure I had enough seasonings. I took 1 small bite and started choking. I just couldn't get it down. I coughed and tried clearing my throat for 1/2 hour. It scared me and scared Jake. He kept asking if it had went down the wrong way. It hadn't went down the wrong way it was just stuck in my throat. I tried drinking water and nothing was working. Finally I got it down but had a very scratchy throat and felt as if I had something stuck around the top of my chest the rest of the night. I even woke up this morning with a very sore throat. This is one of the many things that chiari can do to you. I have choked before on chips, crackers, rice, and fried foods. That is why I very rarely eat those things. I just never thought that I would choke on mashed potatoes.

Weigh In

I got on the scale first thing this morning and ended up very happy! I have lost 3 lbs. I am not totally sure how I did this this last week. I haven't done my bike every day and I haven't done very many crunches at all. I have also lost another inch off my waist and hips. I am so proud of myself again finally.

Tonight I did my 20 minutes on my bike and will try to get some crunches done before bed. I helped Jake wash his steer, that was a lot of scrubbing and bending.

8/17/13

I didn't sleep well at all last night. very time I went to move my back hurt, then every time I stretched out my left ankle would start spasming. I have had my arms do that. my legs, butt, ribs, and my back, so this was new.

Tonight I went ahead and rode my bike tonight. I managed 15 minutes, burnt 300 calories, and 3 miles. I think I will still take tonight off on the crunches to give my back another night.

It actually became reality today about I am finally going to see a neurosurgeon. I received the paper work from his office today. I just can't wait to see someone who can confirm that this isn't "all in my head". I know I am not crazy.

Pain, Pain, and More Pain

I pretty much know that I must have pulled something in my side/back a few days ago. Today I haven't been able to move without having horrible pain. I think I aggravated it even more with all of the crunches I have been doing. Every time I move it's so bad I am in tears. So I have decided to take today and maybe tomorrow off of my workouts to see if it gets better. I have taken more ibuprofen and tramadol then prescribed today. If it doesn't get any better I may be asking my sister for something stronger. I didn't sleep at all last night because with every move it hurt so bad. I even took a hot bath last night at midnight. It didn't help much and I tried that tonight too. I really don't believe this is a chiari thing, but from turning the wrong way while lifting my cast iron skillet.

Horrible Headache

I woke this morning with being barely to lift my head up off my pillow. My head hurt so much it felt like it was going to explode, of course if it would explode I would feel so much better. This has been one of my worst headaches in a very long time. I had nausea to go along with it. I made myself get up and take my meds but went right back to bed. I kept trying to go back to sleep but I was in way too much pain for that. I spent most of my day in bed. I took probably more of my tramadol then I should have. It did relieve it enough to take Troy to get his lip pierced. I even managed to stop by Wal-Mart. I made it home then out to the farm to feed Jake's steer.

I came home and actually got on my bike for the 20 minutes. I haven't done my crunches yet but will when I go lay down.

I also think I may have pulled something in my side when I lifted my cast iron skillet the other day. Due to this stupid headache it kills me to move my neck the slightest bit.

I cannot wait until I see the neurosurgeon. I so hope he can help me. I can't take to many headaches like this.

Someone again mentioned to me about this just being a place for me to complain. Again if you don't want to read this you don't have too. I don't see this a place to complain I feel it is helping me keep going with my weight loss. If they would have known me they would have known I never complain unless it gets bad and today it's really bad. Just ask my amily or Henry(bf), most of the time when someone ask how I am doing I will usually say I am fine. I guess that's a sign to them that I feel prettty crappy but I can make it through the day. I could really use some sleep.

Back on My Bike

I have pushed myself to do a few things today like going to pick up my prescriptions, going to the post office, and going to the store. I managed to get laundry into the washer and dryer, I just need to fold and put it away. I cooked dinner, took Jake to the farm, on the way home he talked me into baking a cake(he's the skinny one).
While the cake was in the oven I got on my bike and managed to do 20 minutes. I have done 30 crunches and 20 leg lifts.
I have had a hard time getting over my trip to the game on Sunday. I feel very weak and tired but unable to sleep. It has even killed me to lay to long in bed.
On the good side I received a call today for an appointment for a neurosurgeon who I have been trying to get into. The appointment is Sept 17 if I have my new mri done before seeing him. I am assuming I won't get that done until maybe late next month to early October due to my insurance. But it's finally something to look forward to, I might finally get to the bottom of this and someone may actually believe me.

Quick Blog Post

I did do my crunches and leg lifts but my legs and knees are still not up to my bike. I went and walked around the casino with my son and sister so I got some exercise there.

Weigh in

The good news is that I didn't gain any weight while on vacation and being lazy from working out. I didn't weigh in Yesterday due being in San Francisco all day and getting home after 9 pm. That brings me to why I won't be working out tonight(at least riding my bike).

I got up at 5 am yesterday morning and got ready to take my sister and nephews to San Fran to AT&T Park to watch the Giants game. If any of you know me, you know I love baseball and love the SF Giants! Here is how are day went. We arrived there at 9:30 am, a few hours early. We waited in line until 11:50 am(standing/walking around). We then participated in The Junior Giants parade (my nephews played this year and got free tickets for 4 people). We then stood in line longer to get into the park. After we finally got inside we made our way to the elevators, then went up 5 stories, then walked (what seemed like forever) to get to our section (307 nose bleed), then up 2 flights of steep stairs to get to our seats. We sat for 8 full innings, neither one of us are able to walk up and down the stairs (there were also some rude people that left us enough room for my small foot to get by and they wouldn't move). At the beginning of the 9th (Giants were loosing) we decided to beat some of the crowd and start our way back down the stairs to the elevators. We then walked half way around the outside of the stadium to get to a line so the boys could run the bases on the field after the game. We walked half way around the inside of the stadium to get to where they started and followed them around to home plate(the boys had a great time, I did too!) Then it was back up some stairs and more walking to get outside. We then walked around half of the outside of the stadium and over the draw bridge, and back through a big parking lot to get to the car. Then we sat in a lot of traffic, and finally back home after 9 pm. I did all the driving. By the time I got home my head was aching and I was sore.

 I was surprised and didn't hate this pic of me, my face doesn't look fat any more.

This is my sister and the boys. The both are autistic.

So this morning(7 am) after a night of back and leg spasms I woke up in excruciating pain, both my head and my body. I went to stand and I fell(luckily back on my bed). It hurt so bad to just walk. I took my ibuprofen and tramadol and headed back to bed.  I managed to sleep until 9 am, my head felt better but my body didn't. As the day went by and I have pushed myself I am getting around somewhat better but still in pain. I did manage to wash the car, do laundry, and cook dinner but that's all. My knees are killing me and I don't want to make it worse by riding my bike, why torture myself.

All in all my weight and measurements are the same.

Short ride

Tonight I only did a 15 minute bike ride but at 2 this morning I did 40 crunches and 30 leg lifts.

It's been a long day doing much of nothing. I did manage to fold some laundry and put it away. We went to my sister's tonight for dinner. Dakota and Jake made a chicken pasta dish. Afterwards we all sat on the floor to make our signs to take to the SF Giants game tomorrow. I think I sat way to long on the floor because I barely made it up. My hips were killing me. After that was out to the farm so Jake could work with his steer. While we was doing that I cleaned up the hay, I looked over and noticed that 3 of the pigs out there some how got out of their pins, but thankfully they were still in the walk way which is fenced off. I got them back in pens, I am not sure if it was the ones they belonged in but they were in a pin.

So this is why I was only able to get do 15 minutes on my bike. I am exhausted and hope I sleep some before the long drive and day at AT&T park.

Back on My Bike

Tonight I finally made myself get back on my bike despise everything going on with me. At 2 this morning I couldn't sleep so I thought I would try to get in some crunches and leg lifts. I did 40 crunches and 20 leg lifts. I sure felt it this morning. If your wondering I didn't fall asleep until after 4:30 this morning and was back awake by 6 am.

Morning have been very hard for me lately. When I get out of bed I go to stand but almost fall(thank goodness the wall is there to catch me). I have been having a horrible headache that just won't go away. I have been also dealing with breaking out in a rash almost daily and it's really itchy. I am not sure if it's just something in the air or something else causing it. Benadryl has been my friend lately.

I have had no energy what so ever. I keep looking at the calendar and seeing it's getting closer and closer to going back to work and wondering how can I do this. I am not sure how I am going to get through another year where I have to be physical with a tough student. On most days all I feel like doing is laying around, which I don't do, I force myself to get up and get things done. Besides who is going to keep the house clean if I don't get out of bed the boys....HAHAHA!!!

Bad Day

I have had a really bad with headaches and pain. I guess it has had to do with not having my ibuprofen for over 2 weeks and I just got it back this afternoon. I have been taking the over the counter stuff but it's not the same as the 800 mg I get with prescription. All it has done is make me very nauseated.

I did manage to do 20 crunches but all that did was make me feel worse. I haven't gotten back on my bike yet, it hurts a lot to walk much less ride the bike. My feet are also swollen tonight, I guess I have been on them way too much lately. Hopefully I start feeling better by tomorrow.

8/5/13

I finally got home and in bed at 12:30 this morning. I have been watching my nephews for a few days and stayed at their house. While there I started doing some crunches and leg lifts. I have done 20 crunches the first night and 20 leg lifts. The second night I did 30 crunches and still only the 20 leg lifts.

I went to the doctor today and found out I had an infection somewhere in my body so I am now on antibiotics. I had also found out that the nurse hadn't yet faxed my referral over to the neurosurgeon. Lets just say I wasn't to happy with that seeing that it has almost been 2 months. I finally got a message this afternoon that she finally got it done. I can't wait to see him and see what he has to say about my chiari. I would love for him to confirm that all this pain and headaches are caused from my chiari and it's not just  "in my head".

I talked to my doctor about my weight loss because I couldn't believe the scale didn't say I had lost more weight then I had. She said not to look at the numbers on the scale but to look at how my clothes are fitting. She's right about that because my clothes are bigger even if the scale isn't saying the lower numbers. She said the numbers on the scale can actually hurt someone trying to loose weight, she would prefer for you not to have a scale at all. I thought that was interesting.

Finally Home

Today I made the very long 7 hour drive home. 7 hours might not seem long to a lot of you but for me it means my head starts really killing me, pain in my neck, back, and legs. I am totally exhausted tonight!

I am hoping I will start my workouts again tomorrow. Back to my rides on my bike and some sort of sit ups/crunches.

I did however get on the scale tonight and it said I have lost another 3 lbs. I like that!!

Weigh in 7/27/13

It has been a very busy last few days. Preparing for my sister's wedding then the wedding yesterday. I don't think we actually ate much at all the last few day. She also rented a beautiful house for the wedding but it had too many stairs! I bet I climbed stairs 30 times a day, mostly chasing kids out of the upstairs bedrooms. They like to play in things and we didn't want them up there. Of course there are people out there that just do not watch their kids. Rant over...maybe!

There are no scales here and I can't find a tape measure. I am sure I haven't gained any weight because my clothes are still big on me. I will have to do all that on Wednesday when I get home.

All the stair climbing, being on my feet constantly, and not sleeping at all for 2 days have really killed my body. My legs are very weak, my back is killing me, and not to mention this horrible headache.

7/25/13

Today was a busy day helping getting things together and ready to move to the house the weeding will be at. My sister is going crazy and stressing she's forgetting things. I am trying to reassure everything will be fine. Starting tomorrow I probably won't be able to blog because of all the prep there is for her we and  the wedding is Saturday. Tomorrow will be filled with loading and unloading and prepping all grocery's. We also have to set up all the chairs and tables.

I am not looking forward to having my hair done. My head has been pounding for days now and just the thought of anyone pulling, tugging, and pining my hair up make it worse. I will suck it up and get it done.

Tonight I did do 20 sit ups, 10 crunches, and 10 leg lifts.

Day 16

So I have been at my sister's house since Monday. Of course all of you might know it's hard doing a weight loss thing when you are at someone else's house. I have controlled the amount of food I put in my mouth. I finished day 15 of my last challenge. I stopped it here because I realize there was no way I could have done all 30 days of it. I do plan on starting back at day 1 then maybe adding a day or two. Today was a rest day. It was impossible to do the bike since there isn't one here. I do plan on walking on the beach a time or two before I leave.

Having chiari and staying with someone can be bad. The tv is always too loud, and just a lot of other things I have no control over. My headaches have been really bad with the noise and overcast. I love the cooler weather but it hates my head. But of course I will just suck it up and do what I have to do, especially since I am the maid of honor.

Weigh in 7/21/13

Today is my 45th birthday and I woke up feeling 80. My sister and nephews gave me some wonderful gifts, and my son cooked a good dinner. I did eat some cake and ice cream tonight and now I am regretting it big time!

It has been a very hot last few days. I will tell you know that I have not road my bike yet, it is still 95 degrees in my house. If I road it right now I would be very sick to mu stomach. I did manage to do the 60 sit ups, 75 crunches, and 40 leg lifts. I have not did the planks yet.

So I really think my scale is broken. It still says I haven't lost any weight but I did loose another 2 inches off my waist and an inch off my hips. I measured it last night and showed Henry because I was in disbelief. My waist has went from 48 inches down to 38, that's 10 inches!!! All of my clothes are getting to big.

Day 12

Today was a rest day for the ab challenge. I am glad I only committed to 15 days of this one. Only 3 more days. I think I will restart this one and see if maybe I can add a day or two to it. Monday I will be leaving on vacation to my sister's in Oregon, for her wedding. I am sure I have already mentioned this but oh well.

I went and picked Jake up from the airport from camp. He had a wonderful time! I drove for to long today and I am already ready for bed. Driving exhaust me!

Day 11

I have had a horrible day today! Of course this headache is making me very nauseous. I can't seem to shake this headache at all. I eased it up by taking extra ultram. It was hard doing the bike tonight but I managed 21 minutes. Do they sell a quiet bike? Half way through my foot went flying off the pedal, then it came back up and hit the top of my foot. I should have a nice bruise in the morning. This heat isn't helping either. I can't wait for Monday to get here so I can go to my sister's in Oregon where it's cooler. She lives just blocks from the ocean.

I did everything in day 11 except the plank. My arms are just to wobbly today. I did manage the 55 sit ups, 65 crunches, and 38 leg lifts ( I read tat wrong because it says 33 not 38..oh well). Tomorrow is a rest day thank goodness. I have to pick Jake up from the airport so I will be driving a lot tomorrow. I can't wait until he comes home I miss him!

One thing I have learned in the last few days is that a lot of people with chiari have dental issues. It explains as to why I constantly clean and floss my teeth and they still fall apart. I hate going to the dentist because they always yell at me for not brushing and flossing, no matter how many times I tell them I do. I am glad I am not alone with this.

Day 10

Today I did my ab challenge of 50 sit ups, 50 crunches, 30 leg lifts, and I managed 25 second plank. I am not doing my bike tonight because my bf will be close to where I live and I am going to pick him up and go to dinner.


This morning I put on a pair of my comfortable capris and they were very big. They kept falling down all day. This shows me all of this work is actually paying off.

This morning I didn't think I would make it out of bed at all. I was very unbalanced and felt very nauseous. It was another night without any sleep. I bet everyone in the store today thought I was drunk. It was like my hip kept locking up and every time I tried to move I would almost fall. I have felt ill all day. But I managed to scrub the carpet with a scrub brush. My arms got a good workout. I finally went and bought some pepto to settle it. I am feeling somewhat better after that. I think if I would get some sleep I would get rid of some of this headache.

Day 9

This is really feeling like I am torturing myself. It is getting harder and harder to get through these this time. Although I can now do 40 situps without having to rest in between. I think the leg lifts and the planks are the hardest thing in this crazy challenge. I am so glad I only committed to 15 days of this one.

So today has been a crazy busy day. I finally went to sleep around 3 or 4 this morning, then was up and down, and finally gave up by 8 am. Went and fed the steer, took Troy to 7/11, he bought me a diet pepsi...I love my son! Then I cleaned Jake's room. OMG! It took me 2 hours to get it livable again, not enough to please the OCD in me but I had to stop. I almost didn't get up off the floor once I got down there to clean. The Troy took me to lunch at Mc Donald's, a place I hate to eat but he wanted to see his gf and he had coupons. He gave me one that all I had to buy was $1.00 drink and get a quarter pounder free. So yes I ate a habanero bacon ranch burger, but for dinner I had fish and veggies. Then it was off to Dakota's baseball game, taking Troy to the store then his gf house, off to my sister's for dinner, I cooked the Joe's crab shack microwave fish dinners. I got home right before 8.  I am actually surprised I made it through 22 minutes on the bike, 45 sit ups, 30 crunches, 30 leg lifts, and a 20 second plank(instead of the 30 second one, but I am improving).

One great thing about this whole bike riding and challenge things I have cut down on my metformin(blood sugar pills). I have steady out my blood sugar finally!

Day 8

Thank goodness today is a rest day! I have had a pretty bad headache today and no amount of ibuprofen or ultram is making it better. I have managed to accomplish a few things today. I cleaned the kitchen, finished the laundry, and swept and vacuumed the carpet getting it ready to shampoo. I  also canned some squash relish for my sister. I watched my nephews baseball game, and fed Jake's steer 2 times today.

Tonight I had a wonderful dinner with my oldest son Troy. He took me out to the casino's buffet. We both probably wasted his money because neither of us ate much food. I am proud of myself because I didn't go any where near the dessert section, but I did eat some good prime rib.

I will manage to get on my bike as soon as this headache calms down.

Day 7

I am so exhausted tonight but managed to get in my day 7 workout except for the plank. I am planning on doing it but at the time I had a horrible cramp in my right thigh. I also managed to get in 22 minutes on my bike before I even noticed. I was on facebook and playing candy crunch before I realized how long I had been going. The only thing that made me look at the time on the bike was due to the pain in my legs.

I spent most of my day in the car. Jake left for camp so I had to drive him to the airport which is 2 hours away from us. We left at 7 am and I got home at 2:20 pm. He landed in Seattle at 1:25 pm. Funny how he gets 2 states away before I drive the 2 hours home.

Last night I tried on the dress I am wearing in my sister's wedding. I zipped easier, but the only thing wrong was that now the straps are too big. I hope we can pin them or maybe cut them off. I didn't realize I was loosing weight to were the straps would be too big. But all in all it looks better on me. 1 1/2 weeks til the wedding and I am still working on my abs and hopefully my thighs, which I forgot to measure when I started this whole thing. I have noticed that the legs of my shorts/capris/pants are looser....Yay me!

Weigh In 7/14/13

So a long day of doing a bunch of nothing really. I did manage to make Troy(my oldest son) a peach cobbler. I ate some of the peaches I cut up and ended up getting blisters in my mouth and my stomach burning for hours.

My legs have been really hurting from these leg lifts I  have been doing. This challenge is really killing my abs and my ribs.

Here we go, According to my scales I didn't loose anything :-( but I did start this challenge late and I have eaten a few things I shouldn't this week. But I have lost another inch off my waist and my hips. My waist started out at an embarrassing 48 inches and is now at 41 inches. My hips started out at 56 inches and is down to 48 inches. I am so embarrassed with myself about how large I got to but I am trying to fix it. Another positive thing is my size 18 pants/shorts are getting too big and I can fit back into my 16. They are snug but the fit!

I was loosing weight at a good pace when my neuro told me to limit my activity level down to nothing. So I listened to him and where did that get me? Where I was last month.

Day 5

It has been 1 very long day. I woke up at 5:30 this morning( after falling to sleep around 3 am) and could not go back to sleep. The dog was begging me to go back to bed. Then I cleaned the kitchen and the front porch. I ended up wrestling with my 12 year old nephew who weighs around 140 lbs. Not by choice, something happened.

I helped Jake cook dinner and cleaned my sister's kitchen, I always clean after dinner, it's my OCD. Then out to the farm to feed the steer(we did that this morning to). Then I had to put gas in before I ran out, I always put it off until I have too, I will regret this one day.

I started off with my bike doing 20 minutes tonight, 4 miles, and 400 calories burnt. Hopefully that will take care of the little souffle my son made for dessert. I then finished day 5 of this new challenge, 30 situps, 12 crunches, and 12 leg lifts. It called for a 20 second plank but I can manage 5 seconds. Now I am exhausted!

Day 4

I woke up this morning and could barely move without hurting. This latest challenge is really working my abs!!! Thank goodness it's a rest day! I did manage 25 minutes, 5 miles, and 500 calories burnt tonight.

Ok, start off with my pet peeve on something that I have already complained about on my facebook. I really hate it when people who are suppose to love you make stupid comments. The one I hate the most is true beauty is on the inside, outside. Outer beauty doesn't count, or something like that. See your not as fat as that person. I love you no matter what you look like. I am sure there is a ton more but can't think of them right now.

Day 3

I had this whole thing in mind to post tonight but I am totally blank! That's another thing about chiari loosing your thoughts. It's been a long day. I didn't do much but could barely walk/move when I woke up, but there is no laying around for this mom. I did lay in bed until 10:30 this morning. I was awake at 7:30 but just laid there. I finally got up because I had to take Jake out to feed the steer. I then went out to the casino to spend some free money they put on our cards. Next it was watching the boys so my sister could go out and do the same thing. While the boys were here I tried getting them to do my ab challenge with me but they refused. So I showed them I could actually do that stuff. I then cooked dinner. Grilled chicken tacos.

After dinner we decided to go to the school and play a little baseball so the boys could get some practice in for their Jr. Giants teams. We were playing catch, I was throwing to Zach, 7 years old, he looked away after I threw the ball and it got him in the face right by his right eye. I feel so bad, I just hope he's not afraid to play any more. We did get him up to hit and run the bases. I hit every time I was up and ran the bases like 5 times. We played for about an hour and had a lot of fun.

I really hate my bladder though, and it hates me running. I understand having issues with your bladder can be caused from having chiari. I have had bladder issues since I can remember(not just yesterday..lol). I had the bladder sling done when Jake was 2 or 3, and I still take bladder meds for it.

I came home changed my clothes and it was off to the farm yet again to feed and work with the steer. When I got home I put in my 20 minutes on my bike.

I guess I did ok with all my workouts today. We shall see what tomorrow brings.

Day 2 of New Challenge

Due to my lack of balance yesterday I ended up on my butt on the kitchen floor. This was not the first time this has happened. But , I am just fine. I have had this stupid headache for 3 days now and I don't see much relief in sight. I am also in need of some sleep. I may have gotten 8 hours of sleep in the last week, but would love one night of a straight 5 hours. Is that asking too much?

After watching my nephew playing baseball tonight Jake and I treated ourselves to a $5.00 pizza. We haven't done that in a long time, I have to say it tasted pretty darn good.

I did accomplish pushing myself to 25 minutes, 5 miles, and 500 calories burnt on my stationary bike.  I also did my 20 sit ups, 8 crunches, 8 leg lifts, and a 10 second plank. Speaking of which I thought the paper said 10 planks, but after printing it out(I have to do so I can mark off what day I have done) I noticed it said 10s. I looked it up further and it means second. You know how dumb I felt. Oh well I did it all!

New Challenge

I know I said I wouldn't start another 30 day challenge, but I must be pretty dumb. I found the new 30 day ab challenge, looked it over, the decided I would try it, but only do the first 15 days and not do all the planks. If I were to do the planks I would fall on my face. It's bad enough I have had problems with balance today so I had to hold on tight to the bike handles because I felt myself going to one side.

So today I got in my 20 minute bike ride with riding 4 miles and burning 400 calories. I am averaging 1 mile every 5 minutes I think that's not too bad,

With this challenge I did everything for day 1 except I could only manage 5 of the planks.