Elvis? That's...interesting.

Whatever's to happen at the krav holiday party is a big secret. Last year was a totaly bust (murder mystery they cancelled halfway through and had one of the guests perform his standup instead). Year before was poker with prizes. Cool.

When did I become the girl who explains sex terms to people and ends up miming a rusty trombone in front of Baja Fresh? I mean, have I always been her, and this is no fall from grace?

Dude, you are the woman with the suspect links.

I hate this cough.

The rusty trombone pantomime is a new wrinkle, but you've been explaining sex terms to the vanilla as long as I've known you.

Cash, what Cindy said about affording the shot if possible.

I suspect that the cost of the shot is just a shade over a $1,000 per (according to my share of the medical, plus my copay). It's sort of a complicated procedure--and they have an x-ray tech there taking pictures as they go. Pain injection, then they inject me with dye to see where they're shooting, then the put in a giant needle, attached to a packet of medication, slowing injecting it into the spine.

I'm not sure if it's just insurance or the effectiveness of the medication (it's cortisone, I think, so they may be extra careful with steriods). I should probably know more but I never seem to have very much time with the doctor and I usually forget to ask.

The last shot lasted four months. If this one can just last five, I can grit out a month, I think. I know surgery is easier now than it was--but I seriously worry about recovery with two kids under 3.

Time will tell. But it will be my last resort.

I know surgery is easier now than it was--but I seriously worry about recovery with two kids under 3.

I will note that in the several people I know who have had the surgery, the recovery wasn't instantaneous (though the pain relief was), it was fairly quick.

I will note that in the several people I know who have had the surgery, the recovery wasn't instantaneous (though the pain relief was), it was fairly quick.

That actually helps. If it's a matter of a week or two, that's doable in my book (if DH can get the time off at work and I can get help coming into the house).

We'll cross that bridge when we have to, though.

Cash, if you need help, I would be glad to come over and play with your kids. I'm a trained aunt!

I swear, Aillean, until my parents called this morning and said they were coming, I had you in mind! I was mentally running through my list.

They're leaving tomorrow afternoon, but I suspect my SiL is driving down then (it's a shorter trip for her and she doesn't work Monday).

I've got such a good support system. It's times like these that I really count myself lucky. Deena was ready to drive down here Friday to make sure I could get the shot.

I will note that in the several people I know who have had the surgery, the recovery wasn't instantaneous (though the pain relief was), it was fairly quick.

That actually helps. If it's a matter of a week or two, that's doable in my book (if DH can get the time off at work and I can get help coming into the house).

My best friend's sister had surgery for herniated discs, and at the time she had a 5-year-old and a baby under 12 months (maybe 9-ish?), and her biggest fear was the recovery time, because of the kids.

Well -- and she did have some help from her DH and her mom -- she recovered so damned quickly that she was playing volleyball at 6 weeks after surgery (possibly less than 6).

The biggest thing you'd have to deal with during recovery is not being able to lift things heavier than a gallon of milk, for a week or maybe 2. (At least, I'm assuming that would be an annoyance, b/c of the kidlets.) Other than that, I remember needing to sleep more than normal for about a month, but even the bulk of that was the first 2 weeks.

I was back to work after 2 weeks, and after 6 weeks I was at the LA F2F. No volleyball, though. Because I'm not CRAZY.

Sure, it's not a walk in the park -- it is, after all, surgery -- but I think that, while you'd have to watch yourself and rest when needed for the first month, you'd really be able to tackle most things after 2 weeks.

t /back surgery pimp cheerleader

I dunno if it's a faux pas to ask in Press, but does anyone have a media bistro account? I got a google alert:

From the Editors: 'We Strive to be a Home to Our Authors ... ... or the 2007 release of Will the Vampire People Please Leave the Lobby?, a collection of humorous essays (think David Sedaris amongst Internet geeks), ...

It's an interview with my editor that I want to read, but I cant spare the 50 bucks for a subscription.

[link]