My Own Terms

Wow, it has been a few weeks since I have posted!  I knew it had been awhile, with my medical treatment, but hadn’t realized how long.

For those curious, the ketamine infusions went well, but sadly, were not successful.  From my own research prior to the infusions, it was my understanding that this treatment works best in cases where the CRPS has been diagnosed early.  Mine had not been.  As a matter of fact, it was almost a year before it was diagnosed.  I first had to endure the misdiagnosis of “torn bicep”, then endure endless hours of physical therapy that made my pain worse.  Then there was the MRI, and surgery shortly after.  That did seem to help, until I yet again, endured painful physical therapy.

Since then, it has been one test after another, more to rule out other things, and rule in what my physiatrist believed, was in fact CRPS.  Even my last physical therapist, Fran, knew the minute I walked in for myofacial therapy, that I had CRPS.  Other than my physiatrist, Fran has done probably the most good for my pain than anyone.  She relieved the muscle spasms that I had been experiencing since surgery.  Unfortunately, nothing she did relieved the pain.  Rather, by doing the myofacial therapy, initially she caused me much greater pain.  But she also got me out of my sling.

My next step is going to be doing a trial neurostimulator.  This is my last treatment option, other than increasing my medications (which isn’t an option, as I have a VERY low tolerance to the lowest doses I am on now).  The nurse who explained it all to me the other day also mentioned that if it worked, before I could have the permanent implant I would have to go through a complete psychological evaluation.  This is to make sure that I do not go into the proceedure thinking that it is going to be the “end all, be all” cure for my disorder.  I half laughed, and told her that I was more realistic than that……I go into it without ANY expectations at all.

Ok, enough of this medical talk…onto the homeschooling goodness

Math has never been my strong suit.  I made it through Algebra in high school, but that is about as far as it went.  I had used MUS with my kids previously while homeschooling, and it was ok for what we needed at the time.  That is before I knew about MEPs.  This is a fairly new British curriculum, based on the Hungarian method of teaching math.  When I first looked at the website for MEPs, I was extremely confused.  It made no sense to me, reading the teacher guides (listed as “Lesson Plans” on the site).  Then I found this amazing Yahoo group!

Just reading the first 250 messages (scanning really, I think I only actually read maybe 50), I sooooo understand this math program.  And I am soooo excited to start using it with my son on Monday.  The only thing I am unsure of is which level to start him at.  And from reading the messages on the yahoo group, I am not alone.  I have decided, based on the fact that this program requires much more critical thinking skills than anything I have ever seen in the U.S., for both our sakes, I am starting at the midpoint of Year 2.

And with that, I will say goodnight, and promise not to be gone so long from my blog.  You know me….I like to “talk” too much to avoid it too much lol.

Be Blessed!