She lives, she posts!

[malnpudl]

Since I've recently been contacted by a couple of people to see if I'd vanished off the face of DW/fandom/the planet/the universe, apparently it's time to post.

As I think I mentioned a while back, I did switch antidepressants just over a month ago, and started a new blood pressure medication at the same time. (The next three weeks sucked; if I had it to do over again, I'd make only one med change at a time. Hindsight: not so very useful.) A few days ago I did the dosage increase to what should become my maintenance dose of Wellbutrin (bupropion). The whole thing has put my brain into uncommunicative mode while it sorts itself out.

On top of that, I spent two weeks dog-and-house-sitting while BFFs were on an Alaskan cruise (I got a lovely t-shirt *g*), and while there I managed to re-tweak an old lower back injury that likes to flare up again every now and then. (Free advice: Never try to stop a wheelbarrow full of gravel from tipping over. You're welcome.)

So I've spent the last ten days or so first in BFF's recliner and then my own Recliner of Awesome, since I'm back home, icing and heating and taking naproxen and letting the back get over being pissed off at life, the universe, and everything.

Fortunately, shortly before it happened I'd loaded massive quantities of pro audiobooks, podfics, and podcasts on my iPod -- I only just discovered Snapecast, all 42 loooong and tasty episodes of it; boy, am I late to the HP party -- and had tons of unread stuff, both pro and ficcish, on the Kindle, so I was at least well-entertained while stuck in the recliner for more than a week.

Anyway, that's where I've been while I wasn't here. I've done a bit of brief browsing of my Friends/Reading pages on LJ & DW, but no in depth reading and virtually no typing because the reclined position isn't particularly well-suited for any sort of computer usage, even with the wee notebook.

I'm finally past that stage of things and able to sit up at the computer (and elsewhere)... only to be leaving town again tomorrow morning. I'm going about four hours south of here (Santa Rosa, staying in Healdsburg, for those of you who know the area), traveling with my BFF Suzi to take Cody to a veterinary specialist. This is the Rottie that had major health issues a few months back, requiring multiple surgeries and subsequent radical dietary changes. It's time for his re-check to see how he's doing. If all goes well, we'll only stay overnight and be home by early afternoon on Tuesday. Then again, that's what was supposed to happen last time, and we ended up being away for four nights/five days. At least this time I know to pack for a longer stay, just in case. Anyway, crossing of digits, good vibing, and the like would be welcome on Monday afternoon.

How are y'all doing? What's going on in your life? Any big news I've missed?

I may be slow replying to comments because of the road trip, but I think my neurochemistry is finally becoming at least moderately cooperative about such things, so I should get to them within just a few days.

Comments

[j00j]

Good luck with the dog, and the neurochemistry! Hugs.

[malnpudl]

Thanks much. *is happily hugged*

[princessofgeeks]

wow! hang in there and best wishes.

[malnpudl]

Life. How so complicated? *wry grin*

Thanks for the good wishes. :-)

[etcetera_cat]

*sends have-good-urinary-pH-and-chemistry vibes in the general direction of west*

Hi, you!

[malnpudl]

Thanks ever so! Suzi has been struggling mightily to come up with a homemade diet that will give Cody adequate nutrition and still keep his pH where it belongs. It's been hellish, and brought her to tears more than once, but she found a canine nutritionist in Texas who was willing to do some deep research and with any luck they're narrowing in on a workable formula.

All best wishes and vibes are deeply appreciated!

Also: Hiya! Hi hi hi! :-D

[sage]

Glad you've been doing relatively well. I've been thinking about you. Experience of Wellbutrin varies wildly among people and I've wondered if you were feeling better with it.

*all good hopes*

[malnpudl]

Yeah, all I could do was hope for the best with this med, particularly since I've been known to have atypical responses to some antidepressant meds. Jury's still out... but so far it's of at least some help (only moderate weepiness, suicidal ideation in the background and not intruding into foreground) and I'm less sleepy and sedated. Which is to say, okay so far, but no telling yet if it'll be a good fit in the long run.

I've been thinking of you and your SGA historical AU -- was that the reverse bang? How's it going?

[sage]

Yeah, I wasn't on Wellbutrin long -- it works really well for a relatively small group of people, apparently. But! Right now with the light box & SAM-e, I'm in the longest run of zero suicidal ideation in decades -- despite significant stress and grief. It is completely amazing. \o/

The SGA AU is killing me, omg. I'm going to miss my official posting date (Friday) and instead post during the amnesty (all next week)...and we'll hope that the finished draft is tolerable. The trouble is that the story in my head is a novel, while the story I have time to write is decidedly NOT. I'm afraid it completely sucks. And yet I'm so in love with my idea that I want to make it work, you know? SIGH.

So, 12 days, and I have appointments all this week. /o\

[miera_c]

*waves* I'm sorry about the double med switch. That cannot have been fun, but I'm glad things are evening out.

I'm moving to Maryland in less than a week, woo!!!!!!!! "Escape from West Virginia" should totally be a movie, yo. ;)

[brigantine]

I hope the med-shift works out okay! And that the back ouchie gets better, and... well just that everything works the way it ought to darn it!

Hugs and snuggles for Commander Cody. I hope his insides is happy too! :)

As to what's goin' on... have fallen for new fandom. Haven't abandoned due South, but just... that one over there is really shiny atm, so I kind of have to go play with it for a while. Interestingly, fan_flashworks totally gave that a jump-start. \o/ Fandom!