15 Days - Trying new things

Okay. I kept saying that anything goes, so I tried some Healing Prayer with my parents and a great bunch of ladies (plus a very healing man). My Dad has some great power. For the first time in a while, I had about an hour of no pain that was not drug induced. They say that prayer is very healing, and I can say for sure that it is. I think I had a "spiritual massage". I can't think of a better way to describe it.
Going through this process, and specifically writing it all down, has brought some very great memories to the front of my mind. I can't imagine how I would have made it through the process without my parents. If I offend anyone that is not my intent. We had some jokes that helped take my mind off the seriousness of the situation. I don't think until now that I realize how major that time in my life was and what it would do to the rest of my life. Since my original surgery was to "remove a blond root", I have decided that this time I am getting an upgrade.
I got the surgery "packet" of papers today. It is amazing how little information they give. I can't take aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. for five days prior to the surgery, but they don't tell me what pills actually contain these products. Even though they have the entire list of my current medications. That means I have to make yet another call to their office. Plus, how much torture do they want to put you through? "DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING for at least eight hours prior to arrival time". Which, thank goodness, is 6:30 am.
Another day down - so, another day closer. I will keep posting and hope that this helps others to know that they are not alone in this process. I found some great information on Arnold Chiari today. Now that is becoming a little more visible, more facts are available. A few specifics for those that don't know what it is:
Chiari Malformation is a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain, the cerebellum, decends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and spine and causing many symptoms.
Affects more than 300,000 people in the US
Causes a wide ranging, diverse set of symptoms. Research has shone that 95% of patients experience at least 5 symptoms.
Diagnosed using combination of MRI, neurological exam, physician's judgment, and other tests; patients often go 5 or more years before being properly diagnosed.
57% of 300 surveyed Chiari patients were told at some time that they were suffering from a mental or emotional problem.
The most interesting thing I have found is that Duke University has identified more than 100 families where two or more members are affected by Chiari. It does not mean that the family of everyone with Chiari is carrying a Chiari gene, just that there is a genetic basis for Chiari. Their study is ongoing.
Way too much info and it is getting a little tedious, so off to bed I go.