I know this may sound really weird but whenever I get really stressed the back of my legs behind my knees, throb and pain. Has this ever happened to you?
It started last year when Tiara was in the hospital for 3 months. At first I thought it was from sitting upright in a chair all day and my legs hanging down. At night the pain would keep me awake and since I wasn’t drinking any wine I really couldn’t sleep. After she got out of the hospital, I went to see my active release message therapist, Jim Narang, who is a total miracle worker and he fixed the problem. Apparently, I was “all jammed up” as he explains. Jim fixed my TMJ years ago and every other body problem I have had in the past 7 years. I would love to visit Jim more often but because of time and money I usually wait until I can barely walk or am such a mess he has to spend extra time fixing me. Either way, he is amazing and I so need his help right now! As I am writing this, I am wondering if there is an invisible wood pecker perched on my the back of legs, mistaking them for a tree?
Anyway, Lou has been working at least 12 hour days in anticipation of the dealership opening, so he has been gone a lot for him. As a result, I have had extra time alone with Tiara and she has PMS. Such joy! Let’s just say 3 out of the 4 women in our house have hormonal imbalances at the exact same time every month, which makes our house a very unpleasant place to be. On top of it all, my allergies have been over the top horrendous. Last night I decided to skip my normal wine consumption in hopes I wouldn’t aggravate my allergies even more. Sometimes I start sneezing after my first sips of wine. Probably a sign, I should switch drinks, but I can’t do hard alcohol, and beer doesn’t sound appealing. I know, I know, I sound like a serious alcoholic, but lets be real everyone in my family is an alcoholic.
So, last night I did my normal wake up every few hours and wander the house routine, stretch my legs, pretending it will help the pain. Drink some water, take some Advil, let the dog out, and finally I got back to sleep only to be woken up at 4:45am. As you know, this happens fairly often but usually I share the duties with Lou and Tiara stays in bed coloring or watching TV until 6:00 am or so. Well, I knew Lou had to be up in 45 minutes for work and I could tell he hadn’t slept well so I didn’t want to wake him, and Tiara had no intentions of hanging out quietly. Next thing I knew I was chasing her down in the kitchen as she ravaged through the cabinet looking for food. I mean I was 1 minute behind her and by the time I got to the kitchen there was chips and crackers all over the floor. I mean really, it wasn’t even 5am yet and I was sweeping up a mess. No wonder the backs of my legs throb!
And so as the day progressed nothing got better only worse. After lunch, my Mom came over to visit Tiara and Trinity and I bolted out of the house. We went to the library and the market, but were back in less than an hour. When I got home, my Mom looked a little scared. She said Tiara acted so bad, so was nervous Tiara might stab her with a pencil, so she took it away from her. She then went on the exclaim her behavior was so much worse than normal, it was crazy! I laughed. “She acts like this everyday, you just never see it”. Tiara thought it was a good time to kick me and try to pull the doors off the refrigerator. Her appetite is not to be believed and she is gaining weight everyday. Super scary. I then demonstrated my new technique to my Mom.
I know it sounds a little crazy, but it has been working really well. Once she does something violent, and I can tell she is going to escalate, I quickly take her down to her back and pin her arms above her head and balance my legs on top of her thighs. Since she now outweighs me, it is actually easier because she isn’t as agile and tires quicker. I then rest my forward against her forward and just stare at her and say nothing. She will try to scratch my fingers, swing, etc, but finally she will stop fighting and just submit and start apologizing. It is basically what they taught me in dog training for my poodle when you are trying to assert yourself as the Alpha. Well, that training works!!!
I really don’t even want to tell you how bad the day got because I don’t have that much time. Let’s just say there was an episode with poop escaping her diaper, me stepping in it and her running off to jump naked on the trampoline while I was cleaning my foot and the floor. Use your imagination!
Praying tomorrow will be a better day…
Holy Shit, Tiffani, this is a crazy day even for you! I can see why the backs of your legs hurt and can’t believe that is the only thing that hurts you. Hope today is better and you get to go see Jim! xo
Hi Tiffani,
I don’t think you know me, but I went to Ensign for 7th and 8th grade (we were in the same grade) and Newport Harbor High for 9th grade only. My sister Andrea Edson was a close friend of Samantha Howard so and we socialized together a little bit:) I was on facebook about a month ago and ran across your name as a friend of a friend (Jeff Klein).
So, I clicked on your facebook page- I had admired you a lot when we were in school- ad thank goodness I was able to “lurk” as they call it. Your photos and beauty, your honesty and pure strength, have been an inspiration to me ever since. I started following your blog, and just love how you put humor, love, and creativity into REAL LIFE. You are a gifted writer, a wonderful mother, and beautiful soul….
I know this post will be for everyone to see, and that’s a good thing…I want to compliment you in front of everyone!
I have been a speech therapist for 18 years, and have worked with hundreds of families over the years. I have never, and I can honestly say NEVER, seen a mother (or father) rise to the occaision and care for their special needs child the way you have. You are unstoppable, amazingly strong emotionally and phsysically, creative in the most difficult situations (which is when it is the hardest to be creative!), and unbelieveably patient.
I have been waiting for the right time to get in touch and tell you all of this- wanted to take my time and really say it all. When I read your latest post, I knew the time had come. Just your ability to operate so well on interrupted and minimal sleep is so unbelievable!!!! We are not 20-something anymore!! I started having kids at the same time you did, my first- Carolina- will be 19 in September. My kids needed very little sleep, therefore I didn’t get any sleep (but I was young then) and I don’t know if I could do it now- I think I would burn the house down on accident or something!!!
I hope you get to read this today, or sometime soon. I hope it puts a smile on your face, to know that someone is listening- especially on the hard days- and just Im simply overwhelmed with admiration of your bravery, humor, and pure strength. Your family is absolutely beautiful, and your honesty with all of us on a daily basis is an inspiration beyond compare.
Here’s to a better day today!! Teen girls and PMS are hell even under the best of circumstances. You deserve a week at the spa sister!
Sincerely,
Marcy
(P.S. If you look in the NHHS yearbook from 1984, my name was Marcy Edson and I married Todd Bushman in 1993 (he was a hot seniorMVP basketball player at NHHS in 1983-84 – I was an ugly duckling-but his pix is in that yearbook too).
Thank you so much for that beautiful and kind comment. You are so funny, I knew exactly who you were and just pulled out the yearbook to make sure I was right and yes it was you! You were not an ugly duckling but always so nice and sweet. Thank you for taking the time to write me. I love hearing that my blog inspires others and it keeps me writing when I am overly tired or moody. So glad you married “the hot senior basketball player” and would love to see you and reconnect. Keep up the good work as a speech therapist, God knows we all need great therapists… xo tiffani
That Face speaks volumes. Tiffani, I have never met anyone that could handle what you do… you will be rewarded someday. You’re a saint. xoxo
I have looked in the mirror lately? Oh, the reflection is of someone else who can handle a lot!!! Can’t wait to see you in August. xo
Hi Tiff! I continue to be in true awe of your dedication and pure, unconditional love as a mother. I am thrilled you have created an outlet that can support your inspirational accomplishments. Thank you for sharing to any and all who stumble across your blog or read it consistently to increase their own strength, patience and natural good intentions and efforts as aparent. You are a are beauty inside and out and continue to be!
As for Marcy, a large hug and hello to you! I hope you are doing well and enjoying life as a busy mother, wife and speech therapist. That is without a doubt, rewarding work on its own and I am happy to hear you landed in a job that works directly with people and you can make those wonderful connections.
Much love and support to two strong, inspirational and overall fabulous women!
Tracy
Thank you Tracy…. So happy you visited my blog and I love hearing from you. As always, you say just the right thing and am smiling right now. Hoping to see you in August! love to you and your beautiful family….