I don’t have any specific post topic for today, so instead, let’s gather ’round for a random assortment of topics!
1) Chasing Her Smile
My friend Mikaela is working on a book. I’ve been lucky enough to be by her side (quite literally) as she has written this book, and have listened to her read aloud each chapter to me. Mikaela is a phenomenal writer and I know this book is going to touch so many people. (For newer readers, Mikaela’s daughter, Olive, was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of cancer when she was only 13 months old. She’s only the sixth known survivor of this type of cancer, and she was given the smallest chance of survival. There is a happy ending to this story, though, as Olive is a happy and healthy five-year-old now!)
Anyway, I would love to share this excerpt from her book, published on Her View From Home. It’s called Chasing Her Smile and is about the first day of chemo treatment, and all of the emotions that day evoked. Please give it a read, if you’re so inclined!
2) Dirty Dancing
I finally watched Dirty Dancing this weekend! You guys, IT WAS SO GOOD. Young Patrick Swayze was just delicious to look at and all of the dancing scenes were just so damn fun. I immediately wanted to rewatch it once I had finished it, so I can definitely understand why so many people love it so much. I thought the themes of classism and abortion were so timely, and I really appreciated the way the abortion plotline was handled. It wasn’t sensationalized or made to make us feel any sort of way about the topic. It was cut and dry, and a decision this character needed to make for her life.
What’s even more special about when I watched this movie is that I was listening to Kelly Bishop’s memoir, and had just listened to her talk about being cast in this movie and what it was like to be on set. What a fun connection! I paid particular attention to her scenes and, as always, she killed it.
Final thoughts on Dirty Dancing is a) it definitely holds up and b) 80s fashion is making a comeback because none of the clothes felt dated to me. Usually, the dated fashion can be distracting when I watch an older movie but I just kept thinking about how much I would have loved Baby’s wardrobe!
3) Carpal tunnel
A few weeks ago, I went to an orthopedic to discuss the carpal tunnel pain I’ve been experiencing for about six months now. It was really bad earlier this year, and I talked with my doctor about it. She gave me some suggestions (hand splint at night, topical lidocaine, etc), and we’d reevaluate in a few months if my symptoms weren’t improving. While things got slightly better, I was still dealing with a lot of pain, burning, and numbness and tingling, especially in the pad of my thumb and my first three fingers. It was time to get things looked at!
I was feeling a little silly at the ortho office, especially sitting around people in full casts and such. I mean, I was having pain but was it really that bad? Was I just wasting this doctor’s time with my silly little complaint? But I was there and hey, I’ve met my deductible for the year so this visit and all treatment would be free! What was the harm?
Thankfully, the visit was a very positive one! I got X-rays done on my hand and then the physician’s assistant came in to discuss some treatment options. We decided to move forward with getting a nerve conduction test, which will show my doctor how severe the carpal tunnel damage is. Unfortunately, they are pretty booked up for this test so the earliest appointment I could get was near the end of July. I also asked for a steroid shot, which hurt like hell and for a few hours afterward, I could barely use my right hand because the pain at the injection site was so bad, but once that wore off, it has helped relieve my symptoms almost 100%. I’m still having a little tingling every now and then, but it’s so minimal compared to what I was experiencing that I don’t even mind it. I also met with a physical therapist who gave me some exercises to do while I wait for the nerve study. All in all, I’m feeling pretty good about this new treatment plan!
4) Stop me if you’ve heard this one before
Remember how I couldn’t find my charger for my Waterpik? And how I looked everywhere in my apartment for it? And then I finally bought a new charger because I was convinced I had somehow lost the charger?
I found the charger. In a bin where I keep all of my extra coloring books and markers. I have a lot of questions for Past Stephany.
5) Spiraling anxiety
I’ve been on Prozac now for four weeks, and I’m still waiting to feel the difference. I know it takes time for a body to get used to a new medication, but I am really tired of having spiraling anxiety every morning. It usually dissipates by mid-morning, which makes me wonder if my medication dose has just worn off by the time the morning rolls around, and that’s why the anxiety feels so bad in the morning. Or maybe I need to start taking it at night. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist in two weeks, and I figure if I’m still not doing well, we can discuss additional options. But hopefully, my body is just taking its time to adjust, and this week is when I’ll hit that sweet spot of feeling amazing! (Trying to be that glass half-full girlie.)
Your thoughts on Dirty Dancing? What’s the last thing you lost and did you know if you replace it, you’ll miraculously find it again?! What’s something you’d like to muse about today?
So the first time I watched Dirty Dancing, I finished the movie and literally started it again within 5 minutes. I think that’s the only time in my life I’ve watched the same movie twice in a single sitting. I haven’t watched it in years, now.
Thanks for sharing that excerpt. It’s a beautifully written piece and it’s heartbreaking to think of what parents have to endure while watching their tiny, little kiddos suffer from illness. I don’t think I realized she’d had such a rare cancer. I am so happy Olive beat the odds and I know she brings so much joy into your life. What a miracle! And you’re SO right. I’m sure this book will touch and encourage so many lives.
Ha. Sometimes I find things in the strangest of places and really wonder what was going through my head when I set it down in X, Y, Z – anywhere but where it “should” have been.
How long does it take Prozac to kick in? I remember that back when I was on it, it was a ridiculously long time. I’m kind of remembering six weeks, but of course that was a long time ago so your doc is a better source of info than me (which would be true for just about any topic).
I love the girls snuggling on the couch!
I am so glad that Dirty Dancing lived up to the hype. It is probably my favorite 80s movies and I will hear no criticism of the movie. I watched it so many times when I was in high school. I would watch it every day for awhile! It’s so good!!
I am glad the ortho had some suggestions for your carpal tunnel. Those steroid injections are so painful but so very effective! I hope you get some answers from the nerve study.
Of course the charger was in the bin with coloring books. Makes total sense.
A) I am so glad Olive continues to thrive and that her mom is writing about the experience, and B) how is she FIVE already?! I feel like it was yesterday you were talking about her getting treatment. Time is weird.
The health challenges sound very frustrating. I’m glad you are working toward treatment for the carpal tunnel and hope the Prozac kicks in soon!
What a wonderful story about Olive. Wishing her many years of health and happiness. And what a strong person your friend is.
I don’t get spiraling anxiety but I get the low hum of anxiety pretty much every day. It’s always there. If I’m bored, upset, hungry, or in my luteal phase, it gets much worse.
I also hope you get some answers soon. When you do, please let us all know. Will be thinking about you.
1) How amazing that Olive beat the odds and I will definitely go to read that piece. What a terrible thing for a parent to go through, your friend is an amazing person.
2) YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS! I was waiting for this review! Isn’t it great? I remember we all cut off our jeans that year to make those jean shorts that were rolled up just above the knee. It was not flattering to most/ anyone. However, it’s a great memory. I CARRIED A WATERMELON!!! I love that movie so much, it’s so smart and subversive and entertaining.
3) Carpal tunnel can be so awful! I’m sorry this is something you are experiencing.
4) lol, been there
5) I really hope your body is just adjusting – that seems like a long time to have daily spirals. I hope things turn around and soon.
I think I need to give Dirty Dancing another try. I watched it when it came out and I just thought it was dumb. I didn’t find Swayze handsome and didn’t like Ghost either. I know, I have problems.
If I decide to watch it, I will report back. Also, yay on getting one of your goals checked off!
Thank you so much for sharing my essay. <3
Was this your FIRST TIME watching Dirty Dancing? Girl!
Isnt Dirty Dancing THE BEST???? I will watch it every time. It really does hold up. … I was obsessed back in the day – went to the DIRTY DANCING CONCERT – it was a legit thing. Eric Carmen & the Bill Medly was a part of the show – all the Dirty Dancing DANCERS> I had front row seats. GIRL – I was OBSESSED.
I’m a sucker for a man who dances anyways – so Patrick Swayze – RIP sir!
I just finished Kelly Bishop’s book too & it does give a fun little twist on knowing how close her & Jerry Orbach were.
I’m so sorry about your anxiety. I have dealt with it for so long. People just dont understand how weighing it is on you unless you know…. I hope the meds kick in soon. I was on a pill after I had a ministroke & it was the BEST thing ever for my anxiety. It gave me such HORRIBLE Constipation (TMI?) but man – in these crazy days – I’d almost live on fiber to get that relief from the meds again. If you dont feel a change soon – talk to your doctor – there’s other meds out there!
First of all, I’m so happy for Olive and family and friends. May she continue to thrive.
And yes-I lose dumb stuff and spend way too much time looking. The latest was a baggie of Swiss francs. (I’m a flight attendant.) I remembered to bring them on a trip to Geneva, spent the majority, but I know I had at least 20 francs still in the baggie and I can’t find it anywhere. It’ll probably turn up, of course, but for now I need to just write the 30ish dollars off!