Friday, September 23, 2011

A non-stitching update...

...Well, there will be a stitching update soon enough as I am soon to finish my ornament for the HoE Words of Christmas Exchange, but.... there is other news to share :-)

First of all, thank you to those who offered kind words of support during this year of poor health for me. It took six months to finally get a diagnosis. I have a misalgined atlas, also known as the C1 verterbrae. This is a tiny two ounce bone that sits atop my spine and connects to my brain stem. How did it get misaligned? I have not been in any accident. My chiropractor is as stumped as I am. I may have been born this way and now, at age 48, pathology is showing. However, my chiropractor is wonderful. I have been having two adjustments a week since 9/2/11. My tinnitus is quieter, although not gone. There is still hope in me that it will pass. My migraines are virtually gone, and I cannot recall my last episode of vertigo. I do still get radiating pain in my jaw and into my sinuses. This will all take time...

Second bit of news - as some of you know, I am a psychotherapist in private practice. I received my master's degree in 1989, 22 years ago. I have only been licensed in Massachusetts, although have lived in New Hampshire for 20 years now. I live near the state border, about a 45 minute commute to work. Anyhow, I finally set a New Year's Resolution to get my NH counseling license this year. It took forever (8 months) to gather documents I needed - my old exam score from the National Board of Certified Counselors for oh way back when.... documentation of my many supervised clinical hours for oh way back when... college transcripts... graduate school transcripts.... documentation of my MA license in good standing from the MA Board of Allied Mental Health... three references from colleagues.... oh, and I had to answer a voluminous pile of essay questions, document my previous continuing education courses.... sigh.... it was worth it! I was approved for my license this week! What am I going to do with it? No truly formed idea quite yet. I love my practice in MA, but am going to talk to a local therapist here this week to see if I can sublet space in her office one day a week once I get some insurance contracts (ie., Blue Cross, Medicaid, etc)....

And... I was bored with my life in general recently - being ill can make being bored VERY easy - so I signed up to become a Certified Obesity Management Specialist. I am almost done with my exam. Maybe I will finish it this weekend. Yay!!

Hope you are all well... I know I have dropped off of the blog rolls of almost all of my old stitching buddies. I think mostly only newbies will read this. It is sad that falling ill can make one become so detached, but I do welcome those of you who do visit often and offer kind words - thank you!!!

Hugs to all, Carol

PS- hope to be "back" soon!

35 comments:

Rowyn said...

You're not off my blog roll Carol. I am glad you have a diagnosis and that things have been better for you lately.

Good luck with all your plans!

Margaret said...

It's good news that you have finally been diagnosed and are being treated. I hope you are feeling better soon. Good news on the license and all too. I'm still here too -- you haven't lost people. Take care of yourself!

Catherine said...

I'm still here!! So glad to hear you are finding some relief! How exciting for you to now have some options as to where you can practice. Good luck with it all!

Catherine said...

I'm still here!! So glad to hear you are finding some relief! How exciting for you to now have some options as to where you can practice. Good luck with it all!

Margo's Musings said...

YEA Carol! That you have a diagnosis is great news! I hope you get better quickly. We have missed you in the stitchy world.

Also congrats with your professional achievements - I'm glad things are going good for you.

- Margaret C

Mindi said...

I'm so glad you've finally gotten a good diagnosis and can start working on getting some relief. In a way I'm a new reader, since i took about a 3 year break from reading blogs, but i remember reading yours from a long time ago.

Suburban Stitcher said...

So glad you're starting to feel better...and that you may have some answers. My husband runs a neurotherapy clinic and he has had several clients with tinnitis have some luck. Perhaps there is something in your area?

Lana said...

I'm so glad to hear that they have found the reason you have been having so many medical problems! Now they know what it is, they can work on a solution!!! Also congrats on your new license(s)!!! That is awesome!!! Way to grab life by the horns!!!

valerie said...

Lot's of us are here...I still keep tabs but don't comment much. I am glad that you discovered the issue behind your ill health and are feeling better. What a relief! Your new changes sound exciting. I'm sure it will be wonderful to have a shorter commute!

Kathy A. said...

Hi Carol - my goodness girl - you were never dropped from my roll. I certainly understand when life gets in the way. I recognized that you were ill and am happy to hear you finally have a diagnosis and a pain management plan in the works.
You were the very first person I was introduced to online and I still have the beautiful scissor fob you stitched for me. :)

Karen said...

Congrats on getting your licence in NH! Very glad to hear that you have gotten a diagnosis and are now undergoing treatment for your tinnitus! You must be so relieved. As for dropping of my blog roll.. well, I've been following your blog for years and I'm still here! :)

barbara said...

Wow, some exciting new changes brought on by your health issues - there really is a silver lining! I'm happy for all the good that's come from the bad stuff, but I do hope you get your full health back again soon!

Von said...

Carol, you're still on my roll and have been keeping up with your news. So glad progress has been made concerning a diagnosis and you're seeing improvements! I've not been stitching much myself, nor has blogging/commenting been much of a priority lately, but I still go through my reader to keep track of my friends. :)

Congrats on getting your NH license and good luck on setting up another office!

Judith said...

You are still on my blogroll Carol. I am glad you have a diagnosis now. Hope everything will be better soon.

Hazel said...

You're not off my blog roll either Carol. Glad to hear they have finally diagnosed what was wrong and great news about your career as well. xxx

Andrea said...

I'm still here! Finally some good news for you, I'm so glad. It sounds like life has taken a turning for you, great news on the license.

Lynn said...

Thank goodness they finally have a diagnosis and you are getting some much needed relief! I'm glad to hear things are progressing.
Congrats on getting your license so you can now practise a little closer to home.
Congrats also on working towards your certification in OM.
Things sound a little more positive than some of your posts of late and I'm truly happy for you.

Sally said...

I've still been following you Carol. I'm so glad you finally got a diagnosis and getting the help you need.

Congratulations on getting your licence. Good luck with your new venture:)

Berit said...

This is all good news! It is easy for me to "Follow" people because I have them in google reader (finding time to keep up is another matter!)

I am not an old friend, though sometimes feel like I am because I have enjoyed looking at all your works for a few years now. :D

Your certs and CEs sound wonderful; I understand about the isolating effects of illness. Please be encouraged and don't forget that they will pass!

Melody said...

Carol, I am glad you got a diagnosis, and are on the way to doing better. That has to be a big relief.

Also, congrats on your progress on your license, etc.

Good luck.

Joke said...

Here's an oldie,m still reading your blog. I am happt for you that at least now you know what is wrong. Yeah for all your plans, good luck!

Deb said...

I keep blogs I love in a folder of bookmarks and 'open all in tabs' so that I won't miss the updates from bloggers who perhaps don't write so often for whatever reason. So I've been following you even in your 'light blogging' :) Glad to hear you've gotten definitive health information, and congrats on the work related matters. It sounds like some great opportunities are ahead for you!

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

Hi, Carol! You definitely haven't fallen off my blogroll - I haven't been stitching much myself lately, so most of my recent posts have been non-stitching ones.

I'm glad that you are working with someone for your back issues.

Congratulations on getting your NH license - that's wonderful that you will be able to practice closer to home!

{{{hugs}}}

Suzanne said...

So glad you are feeling better! You are still on my blog roll! I'm excited for you expanding your practice! Now that fall is around the corner, I can feel the stitching bug returning, so I definitely know the feeling about NOT stitching. Hope your health continues to improve!!

Anna van Schurman said...

I think I'm an "oldie" and I still have you on the reader! I'm pleased you're making progress in many aspects of your life. Good for you!

Clare said...

Not off my blog reading either Carol. So glad to hear all is going well for you now, especially health wise. Regards

Clare

Shelleen said...

Glad to hear that things are working out for you and good luck with getting the new practice going.

Unknown said...

So glad things are going better and congrats on the NH license!

Susan said...

Sorry! I don't leave comments often but I do read your blog.
Congrats on the license in NH!

Happy Stitching!

Aussie Stitcher said...

So glad to hear that your health is improving, you must be so relieved. Looking forward to seeing more frequent updates from you.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear they found out what it was Carol and I hope that your health keeps improving. And congrats on the new license, way to go!

Sharon said...

Hi Carol, I am glad you are feeling better and congrats on getting your NH license! I for one miss your daily posts and you definitely on my blog roll!

Brigitte said...

Carol, I'm so glad to read that you are finally feeling better and I do hope that your recovering continues.
Congratulations on the new license. And a lot more happy stitching in the future.

Carla said...

I'm so glad to read you have finally found an answers to your health issues! I'm sure that now that you know what's the problem, little by little you'll be back to your old self :)
Congratulations on your new licence too!!
I'm so happy for you Carol!
((hugs))

Marie said...

You have been busy! Glad to read that you are feeling better. Good luck with the NH practice :)