Jazzercise!!

A few weeks ago, my friend (and fellow dispatcher) Ilene and I were talking about working out and the different things we like to do. I told her that I really wanted to get into an aerobics class somewhere, but that I wasn't sure where to go. She started telling me all about the aerobic classes she had been taking. She was telling me how much fun she was having, all the people she was meeting, and listing to all the great songs they worked out to. I used to LOVE aerobics back in the day, so I was interested and asked her where she attended classes. When she said "Jazzercise"... I about died laughing!

As you all know... Jazzercise has been around for a looooong time. When I hear the word "Jazzercise", I think of little old ladies with poofy 80's hair, wearing spandex, leg-warmers, and those awful headbands... Not my cup of tea at all! I never in a million years though that it was something that someone my age would enjoy doing. Ilene invited me to attend a free class with her in Pickerington, where she lives, to see what the classes were like. So I thought "What the heck!"... and went. Holy cow, was I in for a surprise...

It was SOOOO much fun!! The music is awesome, the people are really friendly, and the workout... well... let's just say my butt muscles were sore for about 3 days! Our instructor was like a drill sargeant and Kelly Rippa all rolled together.... She was awesome! We had so much fun that day, we actually stayed and did back-to-back classes. By the time we left, I was exhausted!

After that class, Ilene gave me a coupon for a month's free membership, so I joined the Jazzercise location where I live last week. I LOVE IT!! I went three days last week, and I'm planning on going 4-5 days a week from here on out. I am not a gym person... and I don't run unless someone is chasing me. This is SO perfect for me! It kindof takes me back to my cheerleading days. Although, let me tell you... My coordination is NOT what it used to be!

So... If any of you are looking for something fun, and energizing to do, check it out! It's a BLAST!!

Well.... %*@#!!!!!

Today started out as a fantastic day. I had the day off work, so Cookie and I slept in until 9:15. I scarfed down a banana and some yogurt and then we headed out for a walk. The sun was out, there was a little bit of a breeze, the baby ducks were out swimming on the pond... Things were good.

I didn't really have anything big to do today, so I figured it would just be a girls day for The Monster and I. I finished up a couple of Mother's Day gifts I was making, got showered, and then plopped down on the couch with my sweet little dog and my new Sophie Kinsella book that I picked up the other day at Target. And that's where I stayed until about 15 minutes ago when my phone rang.

Every time I see My Dr.'s phone number come up on my caller ID, the fear of God runs through me. Is it good news? Is it bad news? What is she going to tell me? I almost don't even want to answer the phone. At the same time, I know that if I don't, it just means that I'll have to call her office back and leave a message for her to return my call... It's a complete waste of time.

I knew the call was about to roll over to my voicemail, so I took a deep breath and answered... It was Dr. C. As soon as I heard her voice, I knew that this was not going to be what I wanted to hear. When the news is good, Dr. C's nurse will call me. When the news is less than pleasant, Dr. C calls me herself. I had a check-up with Dr. C this past week, along with routine blood work and MRI. I've been feeling pretty well, so I really wasn't expecting there to be much of a change. Well... Dr. C told me that my prolactin level has gone from 43.4 up to 137.2, and that my MRI showed that my tumor is once again beginning to grow.

Part of me is unbelievably ticked off. Over the past 4 years, I have done everything that my Dr.s have asked me to do... nasty medications, surgery, radiation... you name it and I've done it. Things seem to get better for a while and I actually start to feel like I have control over my body. Then it seems like this stupid tumor in my head has to remind me that it is in there, and that it is the one in charge (insert evil laugh here).

The other part of me just wants to laugh. Seriously... What else can I do? So I have a tumor in my head... Big deal! Maybe I should name it... Herman? Ralph?? Maybe it's a girl tumor. How does Beula sound? I know it's ridiculous... Really, I do. But, maybe it likes being in there. It's obvious that I have a nice brain... It seems to be quite content. It's kindof like I have this really annoying (stinky, dirty, ugly, fat) house guest that just WILL NOT GO AWAY!! Maybe my brain is just too nice of a home to pass up!

So anyways... There goes my fantastic day. Right out the flippin' window! Maybe tomorrow will be a better one.

Happy Birthday, Steve!!!

Happy 28th birthday, Babe!!!

Thanks for being such an amazing person... And for making robbing the cradle so much fun!

The Monster and I love ya!

Patient or Science Exhibit??

Yesterday morning I had an appointment with my Endocrinologist. It was just a routine appointment for a check-up and to get some blood work done. Yesterday was also Steve's birthday, so I made sure that the appointment was relatively early (9:30 am). The appointments are usually pretty quick, so I figured that I would be home before 11:00am and we would have the rest of the day to spend together. This is how my morning went...

• 9:30 am: I show up at Dr. C's office and check-in with the front desk girl who is all of about 19 years old and has *almost* as much personality as a wet dish rag. I take a seat in the over-crowded waiting area.


• 9:45 am: I hear an Asian woman call out "Ewin... Ewin Sass!" (No, I'm not kidding) I get registered, pay my co-pay, and once again take a seat in the over-crowded waiting area.


• 10:15 am: Medical Assistant calls me over to take my blood pressure, temperature, and weight. He tells me to go have a seat back in the waiting area, but by now it's so full there are no more chairs.


• 10:35 am: Medical Assistant finally calls me back to Dr. C's room. Silence.... Ahhhhhh....


• 10:50 am: Nurse Practitioner comes into room to ask a zillion quesions, see how I've been feeling, and take a bunch of notes. She also informs me that Dr. C is running a few minutes behind and that there will be an endocrinology resident with her today. Oh, joy... A party!


• 11: 20 am: Resident, who is probably about 23-24, comes into the room. She is blonde, perky, very nice and probably smarter than I'll ever hope to be. However, she proceeds to ask me the same exact list of questions the nurse had already asked me. A little annoying... whatever. She says Dr. C should be right along.


• 11:45 am: Dr. C finally arrives. Filing into the room behind her like little nerdy ducks in a row are the resident and an additional 4 med students!! This is where I start to lose track of time...

As the appointment continues, Dr. C runs me through a list of tests. She listens to my lungs, she checks my skin, she checks my legs for swelling, and the list goes on. Now, I've been to enough Dr.s appointments over the past few years to know how they go and the tests have become a bit of a routine for me. This time however, was a bit different.

As Dr. C went through the list of tests, she also has each of the 5 people with her perform the same test. She listens to my lungs... and then the other 5 take turns listening to my lungs. She checks my thyroid (which is a little uncomfortable)... and then the other 5 take turns checking my thyroid. At this point I'm starting to feel like some kind of science exhibit.

The worst part of the whole exam was at the end when Dr. C whips out her trusty little light thing-a-ma-jig and decides to check my optic nerves and discs. Apparently, due to the location of my tumor, I have a small amount of damage to the disc in my right eye. Dr. C turns off the lights in the room, gets within about an inch of my face, and shines this super bright light directly in my left eye. I'm blinking like crazy... My eye is watering... It's all I can do to keep it open. She says thigns look good... Woo Hoo!!

Then, she moves over to the right eye. Again... there's that stupid light... Arrrrrgh!!! Both eyes are watering now and I'm starting to see neon blue spots. In my mind I'm thinking, "It's almost over... It's almost over..." Oh how wrong I was! Due to the damage to the disc in my right eye, there is a bit of a "dull spot" on it. Once she mentions this aloud, everyone wants to take a look! So I get to sit there for the next 15 minutes or so as each of these future medical professionals get *thisclose* to me to get a look at my spot. Ugh...

Finally!... That part of the appointment was over!! All that was left to do was get a re-fill for my prescription and a lab slip for my blood work. When the nurse handed me what I needed, I practically sprinted down to the lab. I don't think I've ever been so excited to go get a blood test in all my life.

About 15 minutes later, at 12:45 pm, the test was done and I was finally on my way home! I felt bad because it was such a wasted morning, but Steve and I grabbed lunch and a movie and had a great time. I also took him to dinner, so I think I made up for it!

Lesson learned: Next time I have a Dr.s appointment, have a strong drink before hand and plan on it being and all day event!