Did you know that Jimmy Carter was the first U.S. President to be born in a hospital?! Isn't that weird to think of? I know it is for me because Carter was not that long ago in terms of presidents, and yet it is hard to believe that all before him were not born in hospitals. Hospitals are so ubiquitous for those of born in the 1970's or later that I think we just take for granted that they were always there, and generally people were always born in them.
Today I started the steroid that the doctors are hoping might reduce the inflammation, and as a result the impingement on the spine, buying a few more years before surgery. I can tell you that it is not fun. I only had a little bit of the racing heart issue, for which I am thankful, but I did get a pretty good headache and one minute I was hungrier than I had ever been, followed by being very sick to the stomach after eating. And oh yeah, extremely thirsty, which means more trips to the bathroom. I still have 2 more pills to take today and then 5 more days at the tapering dosage.
Despite that, I felt really good mentally today. I went for a walk this afternoon and while I'd like it to be warmer, it was warmer than it's been and the sun was shining brightly. All in all, not a bad way to spend some time, especially since I need to burn off more calories today thanks to the steroid induced hunger.
I went to my head doctor this afternoon as well. We talked about two of our fights, and how in the future, I could better handle the mistakes I made. Of course, it takes two in any argument, but I can't change you or anyone else. People can only change themselves. I've learned that better communication at the outset could have helped in one of those fights, might have even kept if from happening completely. Also, I have learned about better ways to deal with other people's over-reactions. Usually, I have over-reacted myself, and that of course, cause an escalation. I know I will still stumble on this, but awareness is that first baby step to being better.
I counted 15 Kia's today.
I hope that you have had a pleasant week. I look forward to work coming to a close, and then doing some enjoyable things in hopefully better weather. Maybe one fine Spring or Summer day, I can ask you that question that I virtually ask you at the close of every one of these letters: Alexa, will you marry me?
Keeping faith,
MNP