Thursday, March 26, 2009

Sometimes it just feels like you're being tested...

Oh, my dear friends---it has been one of those weeks......

First of all, about 11:00 Sunday, one of the headaches from heck hit. Perhaps I should back up a bit and explain. For the last way-too-many years, I've been fighting these weird headaches. They don't have a huge hormonal connection (only sometimes), but they do have a weather connection. After way too many attempts to rule out sinuses, migraines, etc., the doctors determined that I have TMJ. That has been treated with drugs and physical therapy--but mostly drugs that make me feel logy. Basically, I've had to take drugs and just go to bed until the spasms in my jaw stop.

This therapy changed this past summer when a very good friend of mine introduced me to her orthodontist. He's a specialist in TMJ, and treats the problem by realigning your jaw and bite. The x-rays he took of my neck and jaw convinced me that he could help. So, since this summer I've been wearing a "pivot splint" (it looks kind of like a retainer) on my lower teeth to realign my jaw, and since about December I've had braces on my upper teeth---


They're oh so cute--not. I feel like I have transcended geeky-ness here. The good news is that this has been working--I haven't had any bad jaw problems for a LONG time.

The latest change is that I'm supposed to be weaning myself off the splint so that I can have braces put on my bottom teeth the week before Easter. Well, I went too long without the splint the other day (Friday), and then spent most of the next day hunched over my laptop writing a lecture for my online class. And BAM, on Sunday, it hit with a vengeance.

Ok, so I'm better now--I went to the chiropractor yesterday, she gave me a "talking to," said I should have come in sooner, and proceeded to get my neck back into place. She also put two acupuncture needles in my ears to help with the pain in my jaw. Now, I've never really been a big fan of the needle thing, but I have to admit that this worked. Today I feel much, much better.

But here's the weird part. On my way to the chiropractor yesterday, on the HIGHWAY with some substantial traffic, in the middle of the afternoon, a wild TURKEY ran (not flew) out in front of my car and committed suicide. I kid you not. There was no way, with the cars around, that I could have missed the sucker. It wasn't until I came out of the chiropractor and looked at my car that I realized what had happened:



So, I had to come home, call the insurance company, and tell them that I played Dr. Kervorkian for a turkey. The lady at the insurance company actually laughed out loud--but they are going to fix the car. The thing is, I grew up near the country, and saw turkeys (and deer and all those things) all the time--but I never hit one. I have to be in an urban area to hit a turkey! Perhaps it was a turkey that was fed up with all of the challenges of urban living...who knows. The good news in all of this is that it's all good or in the process of being good, now--but this, coupled with the transition from one class to another, and working on finishing up grading made for a stressful last couple of days. I will breathe a big sigh of relief about the middle of next week, when most of the big stuff for me will be done.

I should probably add that we have one other stress right now. We talked with C at the agency yesterday, and she suggested that we consider trying to register in one of the regions that they work in that just recently announced they were re-opening to international adoptions. There are positives and negatives to this, just as there are in all regions, and we're prayefully considering exactly what it is that we should do here. I know that God is in the midst of all of this, and, like the song says, "little ones to Him belong." But I also know that we will have to make the decision. Please pray for us that we are open to God's direction in this decision, and that we listen to his voice.

I am so grateful for all of you. May you have an amazing weekend.



16 comments:

Amy said...

Sorry to hear about your week - that's really the trifeca: headaches, needles AND a turkey suicide. I hit a family of ducks on the highway once - again like you - no way out. I cried for 20 minutes. Like George Castanza would say ... don't they know our deal?

Tiger & Kar said...

Oh my goodness - - poor you and poor kamikaze (sp?) turkey! I have to admit that I chuckled in a purely sympathetic way of course.

I know how difficult it is to choose a region, and I don't envy this choice you'll be making. Good luck to you and DH, and know that many prayers are being lifted up.

Hugs!
Karyn

Craig and Phyllis said...

I'm so sorry that I had a good laugh at your turkey story, but I could not help it! : ) It did seem to be the type of thing that would happen after a tough earlier part of your week.

We will be praying for you as you listen to God and discern the way that He is leading you.

Mama Fish said...

Oh Carolynn- I cackled like a turkey as I read your story about that wild one. I'm sure it was stressful at the time, but to tell it... it is funny.

I am amazed at how similar we are... I have alos been having jaw pain recently (I think from stress) and here you post about your TMJ. I am going to show my dh about what you had done. I don't really have a diagnosis yet, but that was interestingly ironic.

I will be praying for that big decision. I pray that God leads you in the direction he would have for you. HUGS!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

Sorry to laugh on your behalf...but I did! I mean actually on the turkey's behalf...I am just sure it was a really mean and angry turkey ;S

Regarding the region...I think you should go for it! You never know what God has in store for you.

I really do hope your jaw feels better and I think your picture is cute!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

Ok...just thought of something...if the region is Izhevsk...maybe we should talk..ha.
sorry, couldn't resist. we've both been there and done that!

Carolynn and Steve said...

Oh, no no no Kristine---

Not Izhevsk--I promise!

That did make me smile!

Barb said...

Sorry to hear about the rough week you've been having. I once had a deer commit suicide on my van - only everybody blamed me:( I'll be lifting you up in prayer regarding your decision!

Rich and Jolynn said...

That was one huge turkey to crunch up the hood of your car so much. I wonder why he had to end it. It sounds like your insurance company was supportive. Dealing with ours gives me a headache. I like the braces and if they help you to feel better than that is all that counts.

I would be searching for the most up to date information I could find on any region. I think many have a yahoo group that is worth joining. It just seems to keep changing. You are in our Prayers that the right answer will come to you.

Joy said...

I had a turkey jump out in front of my car too once about 3 hours after I picked up from the body shop because I had hit Gerard's truck.

They could not believe it!!
Joy

Kim said...

You are hysterical!! Sounds like your week has sucked big time and I hope your weekend will be much better! The turkey thing is hilarious! Poor little guy, such pressures being a turkey these days!

With #2, we were put into a region that recently opened back up to IA. Like you said, positives and negatives, but in the end we have been home for 2 years with J. God will guide you through! :)

Troy and Rachel said...

I think you can only go up now from the week you had. A turkey - really?? I hit a squirrel the other day and cried and called my mother. I know, it's ridiculous but I can't help it. I can't imagine hitting a turkey, but it really did sound like suicide (HA!)

I hope your week gets better and let us know what you decide about registering.

Annie said...

If you can register in more than one region - why not? Some friends of mine registered in a new region and got a near-instant referral.... (For what that's worth - probably not much.)

I hit a DEER last year, not far from the mall. Crazy! Never in the country have I even had a deer run across the road - but like your turkey - this deer couldn't have timed it better. Fortunately, I hit him square on, and wasn't going too fast, so he kept running. I hope he is running still.

Carolynn and Steve said...

Many, many thanks to all of you for your support--and thanks for not laughing AT me! It's also nice to know that I'm not the only one who's acted as executioner for traffic-challenged wildlife. When one of my friends commented that this turkey was probably ready for mating (it's apparently "that time") another commented that it was like the episode of "Star Trek" where Spock has to kill Kirk so that he can mate--She keeps calling it my "Spock turkey"!

My dad sent me a card this morning--it had "gobble, gobble" written on the outside of it.

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

Oh my goodness...thank you for those songs!!! What a crack up!!! I was "doing the pigeon" in my chair and could totally see you and Bert doing the pigeon together..hahaha. So funny and cute.

Love it when he says "Oh I love this"

The rubber duckey song is the best too!

Thanks again for the smiles!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

Ok...just read your comment about the spock turkey...you are too funny. You probably saved a female turkey a lot of grief..think of it that way!