The Friday Forum - January 13

Yesterday, on a bright, sunny day, I noticed that the weeping willows along the Potomac River had started to show color - about a month too early. Nature is confused by our unseasonably warm weather. Overnight, a front brought in rain, heavy wind, and cold. I hope they can pull back with that shock.

This was a crazy week. Because we had clouds almost every day, I didn't get photos of everything I want to feature. Plus, I started a new consulting project, and I was amazingly busy (and frustrated trying different routes to the client site in Maryland). I have now determined that there's no "good" way to get there by car, so my next trip will be a Metro subway test. I know it's going to take much longer on the subway than it would take in my car (estimate is 1.5 hours each way!), but at least I can be "doing something" more fun (blogging?) than trying to preserve my life and my car.

Yesterday, I left Maryland and went to the hospital for "the grand experiment." Have you ever had an epidural injection of steroids? I have - now. It was not entirely pleasant. The first thing the doctor did was hit a nerve with his needle, sending a bolt of pain down my left leg. It subsided, although my lower back on that side is extremely sore today. After the nerve-wracking procedure, I was taken on a bed to a room to "rest" a bit. Fifteen minutes passed, and the nurse asked if I wanted to get up. I said, "Sure," and proceeded to stand. Both knees buckled, and I was helped back onto the bed. Next nurse, 30 minutes later: "Want to try again?" "Sure!" I got one step, and my right knee buckled. I grabbed the door to keep myself from falling.

Then they gave me more time - maybe 45 minutes. I called them and asked to try again. I was able to make it up and down the hall with a human cane, so they plopped me in a wheelchair and took me to my car. My neighbor made sure I got in OK, and I recovered pretty quickly then.

The whole thing reminded me of the time, during outpatient surgery, when an anesthesiologist accidentally injected a local into my sciatic nerve. The feeling didn't come back to my leg for over 12 hours. In retrospect, that could have been a sticom (if the risk hadn't been so serious). Nurse: "We're going to get you up now." Patient: "I don't think so." Nurse: "Why not?" Patient: "Because I can't feel my leg." Nurse: Oh, no problem, you'll be fine." Patient: "I can't walk. How am I going to walk when I can't feel my leg? Will you support me?" Overconfident nurse: "Sure." Patient stands, topples immediately, and nurse yells for help. Nurses in recovery summon a doctor, a sheepish anesthesiologist, who explains what had, apparently, happened.

He suggested I could spend the night in the hospital. I told him I'd crawl out of there if I had to. We had a contest of wills. A walker was found, and off I went a bit later. "A bit" at most hospitals is two hours. I think I got home around 10:00 pm. I remember the feeling starting to return to my leg (with pins and needles) around 3:00 am the next day. It was joyful.

How do I feel this morning? Sore! I feel better on my bad side (right) than I do on my "good side" (left). I should know by Monday whether the grand experiment was worth the effort. If any of you have taken this "trip," did it work? I am supposed to schedule two more visits, and I'm reluctant at this moment. The odds of success are only 50-50. My neurosurgeon was very clear about that. Can you believe I've now added a neurosurgeon to my doc list?

That's my week in a nutshell. Aren't commuting and medical care fun? It's time for The Friday Forum, our open chat. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers have moved on.

This week's giveaway contest is for a great set of Benefit minis, representing their best sellers of recent seasons. Make sure to enter at this link. The deadline is tomorrow, January 14, at midnight.

Photo courtesy of sethrubinphotography.com