Just got home from taking my Algebra test...

Just got home from taking my Algebra test.  I'll be HAPPY if I make a B.  😕  I'll be surprised if I make an A.  🙁

Now, I wait...

So, I finished my English paper earlier today.

Ok.  So, I finished my English paper earlier today.  I also went over my test review for Algebra - TWICE.  I feel only OK about it - not great, but maybe looking at fresh problems in the morning will help.  I did NOT complete my last chapter of Algebra homework - the problems were long (taking up half a page in some cases) so I decided it was not worth the stress of pressing myself to finish.  IF she even takes up that chapter it will be for bonus points, so I'm not freaking out.

My test is first thing (at 8 in the morning) so hopefully my brain will be awake enough to do well.  I might get up a little early just to make sure I am functional.

Other than that I am dealing with the half-dose of Prednisone quite well.  I have not been sick, crazy, or sleepless since I cut my dose in half.  I mostly don't hurt - I can even sit "Criss-Cross" comfortably for a few minutes!  And cross my legs and bend my knees!  I do get uncomfortable if I stay in one position for too long or stand for too long, but this is major improvement.  I honestly can't even remember the last time I felt this ok.  It feels weird to not hate walking and sitting and just doing things that I have to do on a daily basis.  I still haven't quite accepted it - it's like I'm just waiting for the pain and discomfort to come back, but maybe I can settle down and stop thinking about it soon.  Maybe feeling ok will become my new normal.  🙂

Anyway.  I have to go and rest my brain and get some sleep.  Wish me luck on the test tomorrow.  As usual - I'm shooting for an A!  🙂  Goodnight, FB land.  ❤

This is my dusty bookshelf of strange things I like.

This is my dusty bookshelf of strange things I like. Don't judge me. Just be impressed that my Bruce Love climbed up there by himself - with no legs! I left the door handle in the photo to give a reference for how up high he is.

It's probably about time I end his adventure. He is WAYYY more clumsy than he looks. 😂😂😂 I don't want him to get hurt. ❤

I have been doing Algebra homework since about 1 today.

I have been doing Algebra homework since about 1 today.  I took maybe a 15 minute break with the torts earlier, then I jumped right back in.  Despite that I am only about half-way done with the last chapter.  And I still have the test review to go.  And a paper to write for English.  All of which need to be complete by tomorrow evening.  😳

Since my hand is hurting from writing all day I decided to take a break, then try to work on my English paper since I get to type it.  It's a different kind of hand movement and I seem to be ok with that right now.

If my brain is not too fried after that I will try some more Algebra.  I've decided to work on my test review instead of homework.  I feel like I've got the hang of the last chapter, which is the main point of homework.  The teacher is going to take up one of the chapter's sections worth of homework for bonus points, but I feel like it's smarter to work on getting a good test grade than to chase bonus points so that's what I'm going to do.  I did complete all the homework for the first 5 sections so it's not as though I'm slacking by any means.  If I'm lucky she'll pick one of the sections I finished to take up.  🙂

All in all, today has been ok - no meltdowns, no major pains - just too busy to enjoy the weekend.

P. S.  Since I was too scared to quit the Prednisone cold-turkey I cut my dosage in half.  I think that is tolerable for me.  I was able to sleep last night and I feel ok - both physically and emotionally.  I also took my 4 methotrexate pills last night so I'm trying to do the right things.  I hope that Dr. Crawford is ok with that.  I've never straight up disobeyed doctor's orders before!

Well, I'm off to do some English now.  Woo!  Wish me luck!

Taking a much - needed tortoise break. 🙂

Been doing homework for hours. Taking a much - needed tortoise break. 🙂

I just woke up.

I just woke up.  APPARENTLY, I slept all day.  After not sleeping for some days, I guess I needed that.

I feel mostly normal except that my heart is racing sometimes and my head is swimmy.  I feel slightly jittery and like I'm having a hard time controlling what my eyeballs do.

Other than that weirdness I guess I'm ok.  I'm not sure how effective I can be at doing anything (like homework) at the moment, but maybe I'll give it a shot.

So... last night was really bad.

So... last night was really bad.  Like, REALLY, REALLY bad.  I apparently had some sort of emotional breakdown.  I ugly cried uncontrollably for hours.  I did not sleep, again.  I was (and still am) very nauseated.  I have felt off-balance before, but last night I felt wildly unstable and it was scary.  I was straight up hysterical.  I think the stress / PMS / Prednisone combo kicked my ass and won.

I called Dr. Crawford this morning (who was not in), but her nurse said that I could stop my low dose of Prednisone cold-turkey.  As affected as I am by it I'm not sure if that's really for the best, but I am happy to not take it.  Unfortunately, my hips and knees hurt less than they have in a great long while, but I can deal with physical pain much easier than all of this not sleeping / feeling crazy business.

When I spoke to Dr. Crawford's nurse I also told them I was not going to take the methotrexate shot - and I'm not.  It's the same dosage that Dr. Edmond bumped me up to right before I saw Dr. Crawford - with one big difference:  The shot is taken all at once and that much methotrexate will wipe me out for the whole weekend.  Dr. Edmond had me taking half doses, twice a week with the pills.  It hadn't even had time to kick in so no one knows that it wouldn't have worked.

His plan fits better with my life right now so I called Dr. Edmond and they are calling in more methotrexate pills and folic acid for me.

I just can't afford to be out of commission for a whole weekend.  I have SO MUCH TO DO and I'm going to do it.  So.  I finally saw a specialist and now I'm not cooperating with her at all.  And that makes me feel like shit, but the plan she laid out is not working for my life right now.

To everyone who helped talk me down last night:  You are greatly appreciated.  Like - when I finish my schooling and become a millionaire - I won't forget you.  ❤