The NERVE of Her! (A Medical Update)
This post comes to you through my voice recognition software. I feel I owe readers of this blog a small explanation of my relative absence (or at least lack of the reflective and/or snarky commentary I so dearly love writing).
Back in October, my already failing health took a dive when a medical treatment (gone horribly wrong) landed me in a neck brace for over two months. I am now out of the brace, but afflicted with unrelenting nerve pain of blinding intensity that extends through my neck, arms, hands and fingers at all times.
Thus, typing has become impossible, as have all the little things we take for granted (like scrolling a mouse and right clicking images to save!). I’m still undergoing the proper testing, eagerly awaiting results and a suitable course of treatment. Given the sheer agony, I am quite convinced that my MRI will reveal the presence of The Tingler gripping my spine:
You may be wondering why I don’t simply post with voice recognition software all the time. Well, in addition to the pain, I’ve also been wrestling with chronic laryngitis for months on end. I must ration my voice in very small amounts each day (though it seems to be improving very slowly).
Having almost no use of speech or hands has been particularly rough since I thrive on seeking out, collecting and sharing information…Perpetually making things…Connecting emotionally and intellectually through the use of words…
There are whole worlds dancing and echoing through my brain that I can no longer, at least for the moment, find the means to externalize. I’ve collected thousands of things to post on this site and they linger on my laptop, waiting for the chance to be seen by this lovely community of like-minded folks who delight in the beauty, intriguing darkness and pure absurdity of life.
In short, I need this:
I’m determined not to let this site die. Perhaps the best solution I can conjure at present is to enlist the help of a dear friend or two in posting the links I have saved.
I’ll chime in with a desktop goodies post or other personal updates whenever possible until this issue is resolved. I may resort to a hospital inpatient program if all else fails…though I’m reluctant.
Once again, I apologize for being unable to respond to comments or contacts at this time, but…from the distant space I temporarily inhabit…I do read and appreciate them greatly.
SheWalksSoftly 
January 13, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Thank you for your commitment to all things lovely, dark, curious, absurd and marvelous! You are a talented treasure hunter and we are wealthier for it. Sending you good thoughts for impeccable health.
January 13, 2013 at 4:48 pm
Sending good juju yr way. Yr a brave soul!
January 13, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Sorry for your pain! Feel better soon??
May 20, 2013 at 6:28 am
Hi Christine, its a good question. We are keeping track of what the boys have donated directly as well as being advised of funds that have been donated through what people have told us they have done as a direct result of meeting the boys. We are also acting as a conduit for the three charities for which Daniel and William support and, for example, in this tour we have taken direct donations on behalf of The Orangutan Project of $582 ($82 was as a direct result of a gold coin donation programs instigated at Temora Public School). They boys have also met several business people, political and community leaders who, as a result of meeting and talking to the boys, have advised they will be taking action toward saving the orang-utan. Some of these donations we will not see so we have to continue in blind faith and just hope that these people will make good their commitments. At the end of the day it ends up being an estimation of funds raised from lot of different known, and unknown, sources. We are just continuing on knowing that we are doing the right thing.
January 13, 2013 at 7:07 pm
I hope you feel much better soon. Thank you for posting all these awesomely dark things, I love them. 🙂
January 13, 2013 at 8:13 pm
Godspeed for a quick recovery.
January 13, 2013 at 8:27 pm
Forever and always here for you. Loving you ❤
January 13, 2013 at 11:24 pm
Sorry to hear you have been ill for so long. I was not aware even though I read your blog quite frequently. Wishing you a quick and speedy recovery!
January 13, 2013 at 11:31 pm
hoping Dr. Phibes, Frankenstien, and Jeckyll can get together and get this illness of yours cured! You’ll be in our thoughts and prayers! Love you and your posts and pics much 🙂
January 14, 2013 at 5:22 am
Reblogged this on Medical Anatomy.
January 14, 2013 at 8:32 am
Someone once told me “From hurt comes a hunger for beauty and a thirst for knowledge. The pain will pass and when it does we will feast.” Hang tough. It WILL get better.
January 14, 2013 at 11:31 am
I’m always hoping they’ll be able to do something for you. I wish that I could just wish you better, but since I can’t I’ll keep doing the only thing I can do for you, and keep in touch.
January 14, 2013 at 4:19 pm
We all know you will get better. There is no other option. And you will. I feel it in my bones.
January 15, 2013 at 12:27 am
Ugh! I wish nothing more for you than hoping you wake up in morning magically pain free….And a big thank you for keeping this blog alive through all the bullshit your body is handing you!!! Perhaps it’s time to learn to type with your toes Dana? 😉 get well!
January 15, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Praying for your needs.
January 16, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Thanks so much everyone!
December 12, 2013 at 9:43 am
Good job making it appear easy.
January 18, 2013 at 12:21 pm
All the best, the best health, the best doctors, the best cure for you! This is a big wish from an admirer of your fantastic skills in collecting & sharing the most precious pearls from an immense universe of weird space.
January 18, 2013 at 9:18 pm
Here’s a some health answers and a speedy recovery. I love your blog and visit here often.
January 18, 2013 at 9:18 pm
*to
January 20, 2013 at 2:56 pm
Sorry to hear about your medical problems… Sending your way all possible happy thoughts and encouragement (>^.^)> ~ ~ ~ ~
I hope they can reach across the Atlantic.
January 21, 2013 at 5:59 pm
So sorry to have missed this for over week. I really hope you get better, it’s terrible thinking of you in so much pain. Your courage and perseverance is inspiring.
Err… really like that last picture, by the way!
January 21, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Oh, and that’s an unbelievable pun in the title!
January 21, 2013 at 10:47 pm
I’m wishing you good health in speedy time. I really don’t know what more to say, it just seemed wrong to click an icon marked “LIKE” after this post. Please just know that your blog has become a joyful part of my daily life and I wish so much for you to continue.
~Richard
January 25, 2013 at 2:01 am
Dana, I just wanted to say how much you and your blog is appreciated. You are an inspiration. x tonya
January 25, 2013 at 5:23 am
That’s terrible news…I sincerely hope you feel better soon, Dana! Thanks for keeping the blog going; it’s my addiction! 🙂
January 25, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Truly appreciate these comments. Thanks so much, everyone!
February 1, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Love your blog!! You are wonderful and the cats and I send our love . xxoomeowmeow
February 5, 2013 at 12:27 pm
I hope that you find some magical pain destroyer very soon… or at least develop enough telekinesis to turn book pages and click mouse buttons with your mind. Use the force Dana! We believe in you!
February 18, 2013 at 6:16 pm
I had a rather hard time chsnioog just one type of physician I would want to work for. So many of them fascinate me, and with me not really going into any medical field other than support, I never gave this any thought in the past. After reading the list, I am more favorable of working for a neonatologist. It is difficult to think about how neonatologist physicians sometimes have the most difficult job in the world, but I can only imagine how amazing it would be to be a part of saving a baby’s life. I had a coworker once whose baby was born at 36 weeks, and her baby had a lot of heart and lung problems. There were concerns about whether or not they would ever fully develop once she had him, but after many months in the NICU, and many scares that happened during it, the doctors were able to save him and he is now a very healthy 5 year old. It is because of that I have a higher interest in the neonatologist field.I hate to say which type of physician I would care less to work for, and it is because I worry that many will take it the wrong way. When I was 16, I used to help my mom at an assisted living home as a caregiver. We would get to work at 7:00 A.M. every morning to prepare breakfast for four of the elderly men and women that we were caring for. We would then make sure that all bedding was changed, rooms were cleaned, meals were prepared, and appointments were handled. We worked 12 hour days, and they were always grueling. The owner of the home made sure that everyone had their medicine and made it to their doctor appointments on time. However, she was more worried about getting paid for her services than actually helping the elderly. She would yell at them if they did something wrong, and even call them terrible names. My mom reported her and we both quit our job, but it has always left a sting in my heart since then. It is because of my experience with that situation that I do not think I could ever work for a gerontologist. I know that the situations would be much different, but ever since my experience with caring for elderly individuals it is very hard for me to think about assisting a physician in geriatrics because I worry that someone else might treat the elderly in the same way the owner of the home did. I am a firm believer that the elderly deserve the ultimate care and comfort when going through any treatment and aging in general, but I do not think I could ever work in that environment again.
March 8, 2013 at 1:55 am
Sending you positive thoughts!
March 12, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
If you know of any please share. Thank you!
March 22, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your site. You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please shoot me an e-mail if interested. Thank you!
March 25, 2013 at 4:00 pm
I follow your Blog weekly. It helps feed mt muse. So sorry to hear of your illness. Wishing you all my good vibes for a speedy recovery.
July 3, 2014 at 3:48 pm
My family all the time say that I am killing my time here at
web, however I know I am getting familiarity daily by reading thes fastidious articles or reviews.
July 3, 2014 at 4:04 pm
Much love and light ~ you are always in my thoughts … always