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Friday, October 23, 2026

Health update

No diagnosis yet, of course, but I did have the lumbar puncture done and it was not the hellish experience I was expecting.  I did have to lie on my stomach, which was difficult because I have a large chest.  If any of you ladies out there have large bosooms then you know what it's like to try lying on your stomach.  I call my breasts "Patty" and "Selma," LOL.  Back on topic, my hips kept spazzing out and moving in positions that they are not supposed to, which is bad because you've gotta hold still for a lumbar puncture.  A lot of praying and squirming later, I was able to hold still.  As to the procedure itself, the worst part was the lidocaine shot, and even that wasn't all that bad.  The actual puncture was...oh, it was a bizarre feeling, kinda like someone very gently rubbed my spinal cord with a fingertip, and even then only for a second.  Very difficult to explain, but nowhere near the horror stories I'd read and heard.  The worst part of the whole trip was when Uncle Man-Child cut off a utility truck at a red light.  Yeah, we nearly got T-boned, on MY side of the car.  Mama and I would've taken the brunt of it had that truck hit us.

I kid y'all not though, the Lord is good.  He got me through the lumbar puncture and got my family home and safe, and He didn't smack me down when I cussed a blue streak after the cats made a huge mess in our bedroom.  Seriously, I'm ashamed of some of the things I said during that blue streak, and I later learned that it was all over a stupid horsefly.  Tommy and Adric are my bug-chasers (Tommy brought me a live cockroach once), and I figure this time Jethro was in on it too.  They did NOT catch the horsefly, but they scattered my dolls from hell to breakfast and I had to pick all that mess up.  I was not happy, but that doesn't justify a blue streak.  Still, I'm grateful to the Lord and to my mama, who was by my side for most of it all.  Heck, I didn't even have any side effects!  Not yet, anyway.  The nurses told me to take it easy for a couple'a days, so I'm going to do just that.

To keep this from being a completely dull, pictureless post, here's Joyita Emilia, sitting atop the box that my cats upset yesterday.
Mama thought that Joyita Emilia belonged to one of my friends!  Indeed, I do have friends on Failbook who have Cabbies of their own, and one friend in particular who has a large selection of Jesmar Kids (said friend lives in Spain).  But no, Joyita Emilia is mine!  I took the picture this morning, after Mama left the room.

So...uh...there, I guess???  Now y'all know what a lumbar puncture can be like.  CAN, mind y'all; one of my Failbook friends had a horrible experience, so if y'all have to have it done make sure your technician knows what they're doing.  Mine was...oh, I'd say she's my age, maybe a little younger, and she was slick as a ribbon.  So just know that if you're facing such a procedure, it has the potential to be no big deal.  Keep still, don't be afraid, and if you're of faith, pray.  As to the results...well, it may be a week or two before I know, depending on what test they run.  But I'll let y'all know as soon as I find out.  

Cheers,
RagingMoon1987

12 comments:

  1. We humans create these huge painful and hard experiences before we even experience them, and in the end they are not too bad. Most of the time anyways. I'm glad that is finally done and it wasn't too terrible and you all got home safe.
    Joyita Emilia is very pretty.

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    1. Well I did have one friend who had a bad experience, so the horror stories do have a kernel of truth. But for the most part you're right. We get ourselves worked up and it turns out to be no big deal. Joyita Emilia says thank you!

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  2. I'm so pleased everything went well RM, I guess a lot can depend on your pain threshold too . . . and you had plenty of us saying prayers for you.
    Big hugs,
    X

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    1. My pain threshold stinks thanks to whatever condition I have. I really appreciate the prayers and positivity.

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  3. A serious medical procedure, the prospect of which alone was causing anxiety and dread, turned out to be manageable for you, and you were spared from a potentially serious auto accident. I'm sure I speak for others as well as myself when I say that we, your readers, will continue sending prayers and good vibes your way, especially with results like these.
    Signed, Treesa

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    1. I really appreciate it. I feel more optimistic about things, but prayers and positive vibes are still wanted.

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  4. I'm glad that the lumbar puncture went well. I can relate to the lying on your stomach thing. I have to do that every time I get my back injections now. However, I'm not only well endowed, but also have a big stomach, so it's always fun. I got my one and only spinal block sitting up, which I just realized was probably because I was 39 weeks pregnant and lying on my belly was not an option. XD Sounds like God was watching out for you. I hope you get through the diagnosis just as well. Hopefully treatment will get you where you want to be.

    Joyita Emilia is a cutie. How did she get her name?

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    1. Oh, God has been incredibly good to my family and me. He's been there even when we screw up. As to Joyita Emilia, she follows the shipwreck theme that I started with Andrea Doria and Valencia Rose. Lemme tell you, the story of the MV Joyita is a humdinger. As for "Emilia," I chose a Spanish name since Jesmar Cabbies are Spanish entities.

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  5. Glad the lumbar puncture wasn't too bad. I'll always remember that scene from The Exorcist, but I would imagine that medical technology has progressed far beyond a 70s horror movie.

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    1. Yeah, I was thinking about crap like that too, LOL.

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  6. I lived in mortal terror of root canals, because my only experience with one was during my formative years as a wee evil. Dad had to get one, and an infection set in, and they ended up DRILLING INTO HIS JAW to drain it and fix everything, and the event traumatized the entire household.

    Things have obviously improved in dental surgery since the 80s, but my dentist absolutely understood my hesitation when I was told I needed a root canal of my own. He explained the entire process in detail and showed me the tools involved.

    Mind you I still went in that day after a drop of liquid courage with breakfast, carrying a fidget cube and a pair of headphones. I told the dentist and his assistant both that if they saw me crying at any point, no they actually didn't, and to ignore me unless I said something about pain. I just focused on keeping the fidget cube as quiet as possible while they worked, and you know what?

    Massive amounts of Novocaine aside...the whole experience was borderline pleasant in the end. No complications, no pain aside from the initial injections. My fears weren't unfounded by any means, but after all that I really hadn't had anything to panic over.

    God forbid I ever need another one, but if I do, I know what to expect now. Honestly, it's true that fear of the unknown is the worst.

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    1. Oh, NO ONE likes having their teeth fooled with! I too used to be terrified of root canal, so I'm glad you had a chill experience. I'm also sorry your dad did not. Carrying a fidget cube is a smart idea. I like Nee Doh, so I may carry one of those if I ever have to have another lumbar puncture done. Y'know, just in case.

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