My hubby just washed my hair for me. I’ve needed this so bad for the past couple days… and over the past 6 days my hubby has been my super hero, taking care of the kids, while working overtime at work (from home), cleaning, dinner making, laundry folding, and more.
I thought I should take a quick minute to let you know what’s up with me lately, since depending on how the rest of the week goes, you might not hear from me for a couple more days… I don’t like to blog much about the “down” side of life, because I see my blog as an escape, and don’t want it to become a place for me to complain! But I thought you all deserved a little current update on me!
I’ve mentioned before that I have been dealing with daily headaches since September 9th of last year. I know the date, and remember it well, because I was pretty sure I must have meningitis, my head hurt so much! I was quickly put on meds, was given a CT scan, and was put on the list to be put under a neurologists care. Fast forward 9 months to last week Wednesday, and the neurologist gave me a Lumbar Puncture to test further. I was told an after-effect could be a really bad headache, but I had no idea it would make me bed-ridden since that moment!! Lots of pain medications have been swallowed, thrown up, and useless for this incredible headache pain I have. Do any of you have experience with this?! I’d love to hear about it!!
Apparently this is common in women between the ages of 20 – 40 with a history of headaches. 
My neurologist explained to me that last measure they take for this reaction is called a “blood patch”, where he would take blood from my arm and insert it into the original spot from the lumbar puncture… the reason for my reaction is a spinal fluid leakage, and this blood patch creates a blockage, to seal the leak. Today I called his office, planning to beg for a blood patch, but wasn’t able to get in touch with him directly. Tomorrow my hubby will take over and demand one!! 
I am just so thankful that he has been able to work from home this whole time, and that my parents have been so helpful… that’s where the girls are right now! So helpful!
Since lifting my head off the pillow hurts an excruciating amount, my hair was getting pretty unruly! Turns out hanging my head over the edge of the tub doesn’t hurt so much, so hubby helped with the washing!
Praying either my body heals over night tonight, or that the doctor can do something soon… either way, I’m pretty fed up, and very disappointed that I’m missing out on my kids very fun final days of school activities! Other than that, I will be back when I feel better, probably with a glass of wine in my hand!
xo, Leanne
(read the follow-up post here.)
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So sorry you are feeling so badly! I pray that all goes well and you are back to normal soon. Your husband deserves some pats on the back.
Keep us posted!
Hi Jana,
Thank you so much for your comment!! And trust me, I have given my hubby that pat on the back!! I’ll have to find a way to spoil him when I am feeling a little better, but as of right now, I am doing pretty good, thank you so much for caring!
Xo, Leanne
What a wonderful husband you have! Feel better soon
Hi Deb!! Thank you so much for your comment – and I do agree, I have a wonderful husband!
I’m doing much better now, still not great, but better. Thank you!
Xo, Leanne
Oh Leanne! I’m so sorry to hear of your headaches! My daughter gets horrible headaches–she had an especially bad one after having her first baby. She was so weak she couldn’t hold her new daughter, she slurred her words, and exhibited all signs of a stroke–at 22! It was a very scary time for us, before the doctors were able to figure it out.
She manages them now with diet and watches carefully for triggers, but this hasn’t eliminated them.
I hope that you get the much needed relief soon from your pain. Thank God for a wonderful husband and kids that are willing to pitch in when you most need it! You will be
in my prayers!
Hi Kelly!!
Thank you so much for your comment and prayers, and I am so sorry to hear that about your daughter! There are some super crazy stories out there from post labour, my sister and a cousin both have very scary stories also. That must have been so upsetting for all of you! I’m curious on how she changed her diet, and what kind of triggers she has?
I’m doing much better now, but boy, was that ever a long 2 weeks! Things still aren’t normal, but we’re working towards it! Hopefully I’ll be posting an update soon! And yes, I am so blessed with the people I have around me, which has meant so much to us.
Take care Kelly, I hope things are going well for you!
Xo, Leanne
Leanne – I’m so sorry you are suffering. Not fun at all! I pray the docs will get it figured out soon. If there is anything I can do please let me know.
Hi Heidi,
Thank you so much for your comment! Things are slowly starting to get back to normal… it’s been very frustrating to get such bad headaches that was because of a test to find out why I have headaches!! I’ll be sure to let you know if there’s anything I need, but for now we are doing alright. I hope you are surviving this incredible “summer” weather we are having! :/
Xo, Leanne
Oh, Leanne, you poor thing! I have not had that but have heard of it and that’s it’s successful. Sure hope it will be for you. I don’t know how others feel, but I’ve shared the un-pretty side of my life, my health woes, my son’s autism, etc. No one’s kicked me off the blogosphere yet
. But if you’d be more comfortable sharing the not pretty stuff more privately, I understand and would be honored to have you use my virtual shoulder. It’s at Christianwifemomcrafter@gmail.com.xoxo Janet
Hi Janet!!
Thank you SO much for your comment Janet! It was very kind of you, and I hugely appreciate the virtual shoulder offer! I’ve checked out your blog a few times, and love the fact that you are so open. I don’t know exactly why I have a problem opening up on my blog!
I am slowly getting better, just not as close to normal as I would like to be. But I’m working at it and trying “natural” therapy in the meantime. I’d love to stay in touch!
Thanks Janet,
Xo, Leanne
Dear Leanne… I am so sorry you are in such pain…
I am praying that this reaction stop SOON. My heart feels for you.
And yes, such wonderful husband and parents you have – thank God for them!
Yes, please let me know if I can help in any way other than praying!
Hugs
Claudine
Claudine,
Thank you so much for your comment! I am slowly feeling better, just not as close to normal as I would like to be… in the meantime I’ll start going to massage therapy and a chiropractor, and see if natural therapy can help me a bit. Thank you also for your offer to help!! I have the kids at camps this week, so that’s giving me a bit more of a break, and I’m trying to catch up slowly on some painting I wanted done for a vendor spot I’m doing July 15th.
I am SO thankful for my family and their help and support. This time would have been TERRIBLE without them!!!
I remember you mentioning about your migraines… we’ve upped my dosage of medication, hoping that’ll help more, but otherwise I’ll keep yours in mind.
Thanks for the love!
Xo, Leanne
Good grief! I’m am so sorry to hear about what you’re going through. Life really sucks sometimes. But that’s okay because when it’s done sucking, life can be really awesome. Just try to look forward to when you feel better and you can start enjoying yourself again. My thoughts are with you!
Thank you so much! (I love that you said “Good grief” – I say that all the time, and my family always makes fun of me, so your comment makes me laugh every time I read it – thank you for that!) things are slowly getting back to normal, not as quick as I’d like of course, but I’m so happy to be back up and about and be involved with my kids again!! Thank you for your thoughts and the love!
Xo, Leanne
Oh Leanne, how come I missed this post? Just saw your status on FB. So sorry you have had to go through this! But at least with the blood patch you are feeling a little better. That sucks so much! I’m a huge migraine sufferer (as in hospital on a drip bad) and a daily headacher too – I “inherited” my headaches from my granny – and I think my son may be a sufferer too. He has been hospitalised with a migraine when he was 6. So I can relate to the pain you have been in. Thinking of you and glad you have a great support network to help you out. Rest as much as you can and get your strength up – big hugs and lots of love xxx Nat
Have you ever tried putting a hot cloth on the back of your neck, as hot as you can manage from the tap. Someone suggested it to me 6 years ago and it has taken my headaches away in a very short time, everytime. I don’t want to sound like I’m making light of your situation I just was amazed at how simple this solution was for me.
Kristy,
thank you so much for coming by and leaving your comment! I have never heard of this, but trust me, I will be trying it!! anything that helps sounds good to me right now!
xo, Leanne
Oh my gosh, I came by way of your blog by accident after you left a comment on mine. I just wanted to let you know I had the same test done with the resulting most debilitating insane headache of my life. I couldn’t sit up, talk move or I was in so much pain I thought I would die. After a week, I finally went back in and they gave me the blood patch. It was so simple and it IMMEDIATELY relieved the headache! I almost couldn’t believe it! Like totally gone! After I had suffered so much I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Please go get it immediately, it will help.
Good luck to you I hope you find relief soon.
Tiffany
Tiffany,
Thank you so much for your comment!! I was able to finally get a hold of my doctor, and he got me in that day (last Tuesday) for the blood patch. Thank God it did work right away for the excruciating pain I was having! It still though has taken me some time to get over the “headache hangover” and now I can feel way too much tightness and pinching in my lower skull from all the stress, so I’ll be following up with some massage therapy and chiropractic work. Apparently the blood patch procedure is very uncommon here, so every new room I was wheeled to, I could hear the new nurse on duty whisper to the other “what is a blood patch!” and then there was quite the crowd watching!
Thanks again Tiffany, I loved your blog, and happy you stumbled upon mine! I grew up as a farm girl, and think I tried to pretend I didn’t belong there… but now in my 30’s I realize I really am just a fancy farm girl at heart like you!
Xo, Leanne