Events happen that you don't or can't completely plan for. Sometimes in Life you meet people that keep you going in hard times. Or circumstances that are completely unfair have to be struggled through. Sometimes in Life you have to let others know about your life experiences; if not to thank them or humble them but to warn or educate them.
It's funny how something so small as shoulder pain can be perceived as so many different things. In mid August I thought all we needed were new pillows (granted we DO need new pillows.) and so I ignored it knowing we were due for our family vacation soon - which included the Fall Fair and lots of shopping.
Aug 24th 2023
I developed pain not only in both my shoulders but a "pins & needles" kind of numbness down to my elbows. The feeling when one of your limbs fall asleep? Imagine it consistently not going away for almost 36hrs..
Aug 25th 2023
By 1:30pm not only was I struggling to walk straight or keep my own weight up but the "pins & needles" feeling had started in my legs down to my feet - along with my shoulders and hands still.
I'd like to apologize to the employees of Dryden Walmart that got concerned thinking my water was about to break and the kind Greeter who offered me her chair
By 3:00pm my legs gave out. I stood up from a bed and went back down onto it and was thankful Jeremy was there to catch me.
By 4:00pm I couldn't even hold a pen properly to sign my name on the paperwork at Dryden Regional Health Center.
Aug 26th 2023
Both my sides were numb up to my arms (thankfully I could still feel the little pear sized bear) adding onto the list including my legs, feet, arms and hands.
Aug 27th 2023
I was transferred to Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in my first helicopter ride. Not the way I wanted my first to go... but I must admit it was still incredible wicked! Next time I hope not to be strapped down and numb though.
Thank you SO much to the nurses at Dryden Regional and the Ornge helicopter ambulance drivers. You all showed me great care and concern - and shared confusion. And I hope if ever any of you read this that you know we figured it out, Nicholas-Liam is fine and I am working towards being okay.
Sometimes in Life.. the hardest working people get screwed over.. the people who smile the most struggle to stay strong.. and unfortunately events happen that will hopefully open someone's eyes to the necessity of health and safety, for one's personal present and future self.
Around the same time as having my wisdom teeth removed a few years ago I pinched a nerve in my neck. Doctor's said it was caused by my labor intensive jobs. Fast forward to now and that pinched nerve developed into 4 spinal disks crushing in on each other (for those needs who are curious my C4 and 5 and my C6 and 7) there was also some bone fragments and tissue needing to be removed.
This was NOT because of any weight gain or pregnancy weight gain (before you bother trying to trigger me with your opinion about it.) Medical professionals have assessed me and told me themselves that it was very bad luck & bad timing. Or in this case maybe bad luck but good timing.. Or what I get for being such a hard worker.. It could have been I agitated it by trying to stretch when I first had my shoulder pain. It could have happened while I gave birth or shortly after. It could have not happened until years from now.
Aug 29th 2023
For those who actually paid attention to his due date, yes Nicholas-Liam came early by c-section so that I could prepare for spinal chord surgery two days later.
To the 1CU and doctors at Thunder Bay Regional I owe you so much! Thank you for keeping me positive and being the most supportive amazing people I've ever met! I tried my hardest to give you all the respect and positivity you deserve because its not your fault that a scared confused expecting mother showed up on your doorstep to deal with. Nicholas and I will forever be grateful to the care you gave us!
Aug 31st 2023
Ever wonder what's in your neck? A doorway to your spine apparently! Bye bye old bones and loose bits and hello to another addition to my bionic body collection! For those who forget my left foot is half metal now a chunk of my spine is too! Thank you SO much Neurosurgeons of Thunder Bay Regional!
Unfortunately my left arm did not come out of surgery unscathed - which sucks being left handed. I have (hopefully temporary) neuropathy in both my hands and feet and my left arm is very weak. BUT I can feel all my ligaments again!
My new home is a neck brace for 3 months and full recover 1 year on top of recovering from the c section simultaneously. My neck muscles will also need rehab physiotherapy once the brace is off because I won't have turned or tilted it for realistically almost 4 months.
Before you grab your devices to contact me.. Nicholas-Liam is fine and I am on track to recovering fine.
I wanted to explain this so that one other person in the world will question when they have shoulder or neck pain. I wanted to explain this so that one other person decides to lift heavy objects properly with their knees, back, a cart or stool or with a partner at their workplace. I wanted to explain this so that one other person that gets injured either at work or in their personal life does not get scared or bullied into not getting it checked out - that they don't just shrug it off because they need to work hard and make money to survive.
If I could go back in time every injury I got while working over the past 3 years I would have taken the courage, time and money to have checked out. I wouldn't of just touched out my pinched nerve hoping it healed right on its own. I wouldn't of just paid for a knee brace out of my own pocket when I popped out my knee. I would tell myself to get these things looked at so it doesn't come back to mess with me in the future. And I hope this is a wake up call to someone else as well.
Don't worry I will post a more happy "welcome to the world" for Nicholas-Liam later! It's the least he deserves for his early womb evacuation. And for the choice few that I did give news to I'd like to thank you for all of your love, concern and support.
