Mwheel, thanks so much for your comment. I am going to follow your example and check out a yoga class in my neighborhood, and then see what my body has to tell me about that! Westgardener, my understanding is that homeopathic medicines trigger healing responses by providing slightly disruptive reactions. The medication I took was Traumeel, and I've linked to their website if you want to check it out. Traumeel is intended to reduce inflammation. Arnica (arnica montana) is supposed to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds. Comfrey (symphytum officinale) is supposed to be helpful with injuries to bones, sinews, and tendons. I have found that I respond very well to homeopathic medications when I have serious injuries, but I feel I would be irresponsible if I didn't recommend that you see a practicing homeopath or alternative/complementary medicine professional before pursuing any of these things for yourself. Aromatherapy is, as I understand it, one of the newest of the plant-based healing practices, and is based on the idea that volatile oils carry some essence of the plant that you can absorb through inhalation to promote psychological and physical well-being. I think aromatherapy works slightly differently for different people -- for example, you're not going to get a positive response if you happen to dislike or have a negative association with a particular scent. I read the labels of essential plant oils and then take a sniff -- I can usually tell within a few seconds whether that scent will make me feel better, or different, or not. I used aromatherapy -- putting a few drops in a dish of steaming hot water and then leaning over to inhale, or putting some in an electric plug-in diffuser -- to encourage a more positive mood that I believe supported my overall healing process. I find the scents of bergamot and neroli deeply interesting and freshening, and I liked walking into my living room and being enveloped by their citrusy warmth.

GREAT JOB JODI! Thanks for the photo essay! I took a good look at all of my bulbs that had refused to bloom or even put up good leaves this winter. Uprooted each to check on it, cleaned them up...threw away 6 that looked virused (They were probably bad to begin with)...some of the first years "Bargain bulbs". Others I peeled away the outer tissue and found areas of rot. IN every case, the bulbs that had not thrived and produced had some kind of rot situation going on so I Am glad I did it. A few had amazingly good roots but in some cases a previous stem had rotted off inside the bulb, or one had aborted and rotted. (Chaz, we need a maternity nurse here!)IN a few the base plate was so thick I Scraped it or cut it back. SOme base plates were covered with corky brown material and no roots. I have had lots of amazingly beautiful blooms this year, but the ones that did not were important parts of my learning experience and I Think will make me a better gardener. And sometimes tossing the bad bulbs is what you need to do! I saved one with some red on the leaves last year. THis year the leaves and Flower petals had ugly mottling of the colors. (I set it out overnight so it would freeze because I just could not toss a blooming plant with a good sized bulb!) I think in every case these were "bargain" end of the season bulbs or from one specific place in FLorida that did not beleive in protecting their bulbs when shipping them to me (And whom I will no longer buy from).

I am so glad that you filled everyone in on what you went through. Indeed, the experience has been a traumatic one for all involved. Now, another perspective. I had a dog that I loved beyond words. In January of this year, I found out my 14 year old Tara had cancer, plus other issues that simply made her life miserable. When I took her to my vet (who I trust with my life and that of my dogs) and she did emergency blood work on her, she told me that day that if Tara would stand a chance of living, she would need what she termed at least a month or two of intensive care after major surgury. Even after all of that, there would be no guarantee of a "good quality of life". Please don't mis-understand how I feel about this issue. I truly believe when you have pets, decisions are individual. After consulting with two other vets who could be considered true "country vets", and I was told all of the things that would need to be done, and what Tara could no longer do, the decision was made to put her out of her misery. It wasn't an easy experience, but for me, I am convinced it was the right experience. One of my "country vets" who I have known for many years, talked to me for a long time about what I was going through. She was originally a city vet, and had two very clear perspectives about the issue. When she told me that she now thinks she put some of her patients through to much when she was a city vet, I knew very well what I had to do. I very much believe in a dog being able to live like a dog, and have dog experiences. That means, running, getting into mischief, barking, annoying me to go out, playing, waging their tail, etc. etc. My Tara couldn't do any of those things. I, as well as you, take great comfort in the decision that I made. I am forever grateful that Tara died in my arms and I was able to feel her slip away. I definitely did not want the experience to happen in some emergency room with blinding light and strangers all around. Good luck to you, SG

haha....don't think you will need more than 5 mg Valium LOL. I am a retired RN and I can assure you it is plenty. Your MD will make sure you are comfortable and they ask you to tell them how you are and adjust accordingly. I chatted with the anesthesiologist and the surgical RN ( they were friends) for the whole first part...you will be GOOD. Stop worrying. If you look up Vicodin and codeine you will see they are both part of the opioid family and that Vicodin is the most strong of the two. Look at the side effects of Vicodin and there you have it. The most common side effects of Vicodin include lightheadedness,dizziness, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, drowsiness,constipation, headache, mood changes, blurred vision, ringing in your ears, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating.Apr 25, 2015 Side Effects of Vicodin (Hydrocodone Bitartrate and ... - RxList www.rxlist.com/vicodin-side-effects-drug-center.htm As it happens an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen combined with Tylenol ( 2 of each) taken every 12 hrs will give you MUCH more relief as the opioids only mask a problem and do not stop the inflammation that is causing the problem . Too bad that so many MD's reach for the high powered narcotic rather than the OTC that is actually doing something and is cheaper and way fewer side effects. Not sure about the insistence on unbalance etc with mono-vision. When prescribed by the Opthamologist it isn't a random occurrence as suero is describing. It is a very well thought out ratio. I won't say any thing further but it certainly doesn't lead to unbalance etc or forcing of the eyes...it is extremely subtle and the brain gets used to it almost immediately except in a small percentage of cases. Enough said :) Good Luck and you WILL be fine. c