I posted this on Chica Chic’s blog as a comment to her latest entry:

I have a herniated or pinched disc, a bulging disc, a disc that’s dessicating, and the beginnings of arthritis in my spine. The bulging disc is at risk of pushing against my spinal cord, which could create permanent damage in my leg muscles. The herniated disk creates intense pain often. The dessication will ultimately create a need for surgery. And the only thing I can look forward to with the arthritis is pain, lots and lots of pain.

Today I am at home, bed-bound, since I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed and make it into work. Normally, on those mornings when I have to literally roll out of bed because sitting up is too painful, I put on a hot pack, take my Valium and Vicodin and make myself go into work anyway. Today was not one of those days.

Having been through the MRI experience myself, I understand what you’re talking about. Being told, after that awful experience, that there’s very little medical science can do for me right now other than medication, was not a pleasant experience.

What I look forward to is a lifetime of pain management. Doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, precriptions to things that are habit-forming (for which my doctor will monitor me), and the knowledge that I’m never going to be well again.

Of course, as a fat girl, I don’t see the mushy you’re talking about. Tell JR that you look forward to seeing what childbirth does to his body…

I had a nice lunch today, a get together with friends. It was a Valentine’s Day brunch, an annual event Chica Chic organizes as a way to make sure that we actually see each other at least this one time each year.

I need to do this more often, keep in touch with friends and actually see them in person on a regular basis. Email is great, blogs are great, but they’re no substitute for an in-person coffee break or just a conversation.

I didn’t make new year’s resolutions this year, but if I had, keeping in touch with friends would have been at the top of my list.

Is it too late to start one?

Chica Chic has tagged me, so I’ll start this even though I don’t know who I’m tagging yet.

Four jobs you’ve had in your life:
I’m going to pick four that show a variety:

1. McDonald’s — I was the girl in charge of the kiddy parties; this was fun, exhausting and very memorable. I was good enough that parents came in asking for me specifically. Since I only worked weekends, this is all I did.
2. paralegal assistant — for an oil and gas company. I got to work on some very interesting cases.
3. assistant manager of a hair salon — and you would be surprised at what really goes on in those places. Let me tell you, it is true that women will tell their hairdressers stuff they wouldn’t tell anyone else.
4. Mary Kay consultant — which I started because I was bored and enjoyed for the time I did it. I still use this product regularly.

Four movies you could watch over and over again (not to be confused with favorite movies):

1. The Ten Commandments — I watch it just to build up to the parting of the red sea.
2. The American President
3. The 13th Warrior
4. Contact

Four TV shows you love(d) to watch (among many others):

1. West Wing
2. Alias
3. Battestar Galactica
4. Buffy

Four places you’ve lived:

1. Pasadena, TX
2. Atlanta, GA
3. Detroit, MI
4. Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Four places you’ve been on vacation to:

1. San Diego
2. San Francisco
3. Jamaica
4. Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Four places you would rather be (or where you’ll like to visit):

1. London — for a short visit
2. New Zealand
3. Rome
4. Tokyo

Four of your favorite foods:

1. All items made with Vitamin T… tamales, tacos, tortillas, tortas, tostadas… and, of course, Tecate, tequila, etc., etc.
2. this is kind of embarrassing, but I love Slim Jims, I just don’t know why
3. Chocolate
4. Dulce de Leche ice cream

Four websites you visit daily:

1. the local news sites — for work
2. library news sites — also for work (Library Journal, School Library Journal, ALA News)
3. blogHOUSTON
4. ProBlogger

Four tagged (no one yet):