Offshoots

Welcome to our secret wedding!

2011-11-04T16:48:00.005-04:00

It has taken awhile, but I have finally been able to get the photos of Andrew's and my wedding uploaded. There are a lot of semi-duplicates, but I just couldn't pick my favorites!Thanks so much to our wedding party/paparazzi: Mom and Roland, Bill and Kelly, my best lady Jen, and best man Clark!Videos still to follow... :)

Backpackers unite – against the GSMNP Backcountry office proposal!

2011-08-17T18:20:00.005-04:00

the Backcountry Office for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park has created a proposal that would result in substantial fees to backpackers that wish to camp in the Smokies. they claim that this will improve service, but from proposal review it will simply result in an astronomical increase in Backcountry Office income so they can do, basically, nothing different except provide 'backpacking

from the ever-glamorous WAC* frontlines

2011-05-01T20:00:00.006-04:00

[*War Against Cancer]time has gotten away from me as usual, i am afraid, and so this update is a bit overdue. i am happy to report that, even though Andrew gets tired too easily and stays that way too long, things are strangely a little better here! Andrew continues to struggle with significant fatigue and his nodes remain big and bright (deep in the heart of texas). however, things here are seem

yowsa!

2011-04-28T11:53:00.003-04:00

talk about an amazing storm!first off - Andrew, Elise and i are all fine. Andrew and i were hit with 3 inch hail driving home from dinner. Andrew did a wonderful job keeping us safe in spite of arcing sparks from power lines and shredding trees. He eventually found us shelter under an overpass (after the windshield cracked in 3 separate places). Esther's (the car's) body is completely pockmarked,

Cancer sucks

2011-03-18T07:49:00.000-04:00

and then it sucks some more.Life is just one damned thing after another. - Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915)

kitty madness...

2011-02-11T22:01:00.003-05:00

we'll give you a f***ing dog! what else is to say? absolute genius.

t minus 4

2011-01-14T17:38:00.005-05:00

my mind is a hurly-burly snarl today but somehow, through the tumult, only two thoughts emerge. the same two thoughts over and over and over and over again. the first pulled consciously from a text by Pema Chodron.Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.it is appropriate that my chest does not expand normally, that i can feel the tightness thrumming along and through my jugular

it is a new year

2011-01-01T10:39:00.008-05:00

and that means it is time to start weeding. Don't plant your bad days, they will grow into weeks and months and before you know you have a bad year. -Tom Waitsit would be a colossal understatement to say that 2010 did not go as i hoped or envisioned. when i sat in quiet reflection on the crisp, first day of 2010, i saw a year of sparkle and potential. i certainly could not foresee the

all Ds are not alike

2010-12-29T16:02:00.004-05:00

as many of you know, Monday was Andrew's restaging PET/CT scan and yesterday was Andrew's last scheduled chemo. we have very much been looking forward to starting the new year right - cancer-free!Andrew has officically completed 6 chemo cycles (2 treatments = 1 cycle). standard treatment duration is 4 cycles. in cases with more extensive disease, 2 additional cycles are added on 'just to make

Ansel Adams ain't got nuthin on us!

2010-07-18T18:41:00.001-04:00

the photos from Glacier are UP!!! (FYI: there are a LOT so the slideshow will probably be a little sluggy to load.)

we have a new houseguest

2010-07-15T17:56:00.002-04:00

chemo fatigue is upon us. unfortunately, so is hyporexia (inadequate appetite). waking Andrew to eat and drink feels cruel but must be done - within limits of course - if he is to avoid the worst of the GI effects...

the final verdict, well almost

2010-07-02T08:30:00.012-04:00

it has been quite some time since last i updated the blog... a lot has been happening here. the biggest change is that Andrew has developed cancer. the lymph nodes on his neck enlarged while i was at ACVIM and we have been crashing through the medical machine at relative speed to be able to the name 'the monster' for knowing its name will give us power over it and allow us to make a

snow day in Nashville!

2010-01-29T10:28:00.001-05:00

Sevier Heights: the remodel, days 2 & 3

2010-01-17T13:14:00.005-05:00

day 2 actually began with great conviviality on night 1 when Mom and Roland rolled into town. we had a marvelous time dining on fish and chips at the Crown and Goose as you can see here:our assignments for the weekend were to order tile for the second bathroom floor and to buy paint for the entire house. if we could get some painting in, that would be bonus points. our first stop on day 2 was

Sevier Heights: the remodel, day 1

2010-01-17T12:15:00.007-05:00

when i bought the house, i resolved that i would share the remodel progress on the blog. after all, it isn't often in one's life that a person attempts to do 4 months of remodel work in 2 weeks with a few very good friends.between working on the house full-time for those weeks, continuing with my day job (some deadlines could not be moved), and getting The Influenza - there was no time left at

class, this week's theme is fall colors (and bad citizens)

2009-10-12T20:49:00.012-04:00

what with Dave closing out his last 100 miles in the Smokies, Highlander hikes have taken on a higher level of 'strategery'. in anticipation of its winter closing, we set off down Noland Divide from Clingman's Dome Road to Noland Creek and along to campsite 63. along the way, we stopped at CS 61 to break the Leave What You Find tenet of Leave No Trace...... to clean up a disaster left by horse

God is in the house

2009-10-04T21:56:00.007-04:00

this past weekend brought another glorious hike in the Smokies. George, Dave and i headed in from Cataloochee along the Caldwell Fork trail then up and around the Boogerman loop and on to campsite #41. after the previous week's deluge, we were all a little skittish about more rain. happily, we were only drizzled on about 11% of the time. Boogerman was a bit of a climb, but thankfully horses

one more reason the internets rock

2009-09-29T22:33:00.004-04:00

between now and October 9th, the Ken Burns National Parks documentary series is available for viewing online. go. watch. NOW!!!ps. um, i'm serious people. scoot!pps. don't cry. they find him eventually...

it can't rain all the time... or can it?

2009-09-27T21:36:00.005-04:00

went off for more fun with the Southern Highlanders this past weekend. Friday night, i hiked in from Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald with John in the dark and pouring rain. amazing sunset in spite of the rain.we arrived to meet up with Dave, George, and Vince for a great night of carrying on. (we're all sorry, Warren. well - sort of.)Saturday: rain. rain. more rain. the rain was so fierce, we

welcome home (hopefully)!!!

2009-09-25T08:26:00.002-04:00

after 3 months of searching and close calls, i am finally in contract on a house. like me [or anyone for that matter], she needs some work - but she is a happy, quixotic house and just chock full of potential! the good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise, we will close Oct 15th. my plan is take some time off work the following two weeks to get her sass back on and officially move in on

truer words...

2009-09-21T15:57:00.008-04:00

even for me, this last weekend was a bit overscheduled - but i wouldn't have changed a thing!first, i enjoyed a rousing good time dancing at KLX:stayed out far too late and then rose early for to blitz another Habitat house. afterwards, i was lucky enough to head once more for the hills. although we made crazy good time on the build due to the mad skills of the UT Women's Rowing Team, the gang

Easter egg

2009-09-17T23:15:00.006-04:00

our Intensive Care Unit is being remodeled and this is what i have passed daily for over a week as it slowly grew:a girl can only leave such temptation aside so long. Monday i broke down and slipped this in the wall:just so there would be no confusion on the source:teaser: watch this space for [hopefully] big news after the weekend!

another weekend in paradise

2009-09-15T06:49:00.004-04:00

with the Southern Highlanders: i hiked in along Wolf Ridge into campsite 95 with John, Jack and Jerky Mike. after socializing with the Highlanders, John and i left our packs and went on a 'stroll' up to Parson Bald... without water, lights or our brains apparently. Song For David kept rolling through my mind. John and i ran into Jack (who had his headlamp) so ran the last 15 minutes up to

not to be vulgar...

2009-09-10T21:13:00.004-04:00

but i have just popped my cherry on Machiavellian political machinations. i received word tonight that my first foray has resulted in the opportunity to purchase $82K in [badly needed] equipment for my section. hours and hours and hours of misery compiling data, convo-ing with random humans, and writing the dang* proposal actually coming to fruition. anyone see the Horsemen? they must be around

2009-09-04T07:42:00.002-04:00

'nuff said.

more living

2009-09-04T07:30:00.002-04:00

goodbye bash with the Americorps 'kids': sucks to have them leave but what a privilege to know them. 'sides, they won't get too far - family almost never does!last weekend's Saturday hike to Fall Branch Falls with a crew from Meetup: if you listen carefully, you can hear tiny cries as the mosses mate. :) a peaceful jaunt to an amazing waterfall - only wish the trail had been longer.updated

letting go

2009-08-24T07:23:00.002-04:00

as may be obvious, i have let go of keeping up with the blog. life is just too short to waste time writing when i could be doing! (plus my tendonitis remains a harsh taskmaster.) some visual catchup... went to Tennessee eXtreme Wrestling with Habitat friends: took a student's dog backpacking, had to quit due to tick infestation, rerouted for lake camping with Hab friends: went to more

unbroken streak

2009-06-14T19:44:00.004-04:00

for something like the 477th trip in a row, today i reconfirmed that i should never be allowed in a nursery unchaperoned. for over a month now, i have assiduously avoided forlorn flowerbeds of dying pansies, skeletal remains of last year's geraniums in hanging pots, and the overgrown scraggle that passes for my bushes. because i intend to move this summer, it would be silly and financially daft

ketchup

2009-06-07T10:55:00.007-04:00

things have been busy and weird and hard and good and busy some more. i have been working ridiculous amounts of hours and haven't much time to write. i reread a wonderful article called On the determinants of academic success as a clinician-scientist a couple months ago. it motivated me to revisit all my projects and To Do lists and seriously consider which exist for the right reasons (makes me

the maidens of spring's army

2009-03-29T17:18:00.010-04:00

clouds and wind fight and cling to winter.playful violets, comic pansies and seductive hyacinths heavy with fragrancedance and whirlin the riotous confettiof falling cherry blossoms.the clouds surrender to their joy.

wicked awesome hiking

2009-02-28T17:49:00.002-05:00

life has been hopping here in lovely east Tennessee. since the move, it seems i continuously struggle to both do and document in limited time. at the end of the day, i have decided it is better to live life than write about it and the blog has obviously suffered greatly. the birds call outside and offset the otherwise gloomy dawn of the day, as i snuggle down under a new blanket and nurse my

Fwd: A warning!

2009-02-21T08:20:00.003-05:00

things have been crazy busy here in K-ville and i owe some serious postage, but in the interim i thought i would share this little gem.I dislike people who post too many warning as much as anyone, but this one is important!If someone comes to your door saying they are conducting a survey on deer ticks and asks you to take off all your clothes and dance around to shake off the ticks, Do not do it!

snowy Knoxville

2009-02-07T11:55:00.002-05:00

just a little eye candy from Knoxville February 3rd. yup. that is snow there on the ground right here in East Tennessee. it was a wonderful day!

my cup runneth over

2008-12-09T21:23:00.000-05:00

it has been a strange time since last i wrote. much has changed and much remains in flux yet some things stand constant.Christmas still fills my heart with heady joy, wonder and an almost maudlin tenderness for my brethen. there is something profound and humbling about the way humans rise above themselves at this time of year to care for those around them and honor those who have gone before

Mr. Head: 1993 - 2008

2008-11-01T19:01:00.005-04:00

it was a good ride.today, Mr. Head finally hung up his spurs.here he is as i will always remember him - my pushy, lovey baby.it was a good death...even more importantly, it was a wonderful life. we are inconsolable.but time will bring the healing.

so sick

2008-10-05T09:14:00.005-04:00

a scratchy cough began immediately after super fun times putting in a subfloor with Habitat on Saturday. at first i thought it was irritation from the sawdust. (did i mention i am the standby powersaw chick of doom?) when it persisted into Sunday, i thought all that healthy fresh air had set off my allergies. Monday morning, i was still on the fence. after all, i know of no one who has been sick

not on vacation

2008-09-29T18:16:00.004-04:00

i really haven't been on vacation this whole time. honest. actually, it is just that i have been too busy doing to spend time reporting. craftwise, there have been a few successes and one major tragedy. first, the pain... remember the gorgeous 'Cabled Denim' vest? it was in fact too big for Roland but it was a proportionate bigness. Mom and i judged that a blistering wash and hot dry would

me, on vacation!

2008-08-14T22:27:00.001-04:00

me on vacation!Originally uploaded by jacquichrisit's true - i went on vacation. between all the chaos and family, i enjoy sitting under a tree, listening to the cicadas and wild turkeys... oh yeah, and spinning around with my arms outswept like a little child. everyone should make time for whirling about like a dervish.vacation was too short. it reminded me how desperately i miss backpacking.

i win!

2008-08-11T22:25:00.000-04:00

in preparation for vacation*, i made a big push to finish projects. here i present to you my flurry of recent FO activity.first we have the Back-to-School U-Neck Vest by Stefanie Japel in Moda Dea Silk 'n Wool Blend on US 8s and 6s: i am pretty happy with this. i should have increased the bust darts a bit so it would fit better. its not that i am that busty, but apparently the pattern is set for

zoom zoom!!

2008-08-04T22:29:00.007-04:00

the hummingbirds returned in force this Saturday. during hummingbird season, my morning ritual is much brighter. there was one bird last year that liked to hover in front of the kitchen window, watching me make my latte each day. i am very happy to report that he seems to be back. for two days now, i have had a companion for the daily 'opening ceremonies'. i plan to remove the window screen,

goodness from heaven... or Canada...

2008-07-22T19:54:00.004-04:00

i get confused. after all, they are both 'up' from Tennessee... right?after a taxing stint on clinics complicated by the Allergies of Doom, all i have really be capable of the last two-ish weeks is staring vacantly at the walls while entropy molds me to the couch. that has all changed.thanks to an amazing pick-me-up package from Lara, i have lovely new pretties to comfort me in my time of sloth

i lied

2008-06-24T21:30:00.002-04:00

i said i would share Roland's slippers, the black hole that is my Syrian shawl and the cast-on of such poor judgment that i deleted any evidence of its existence, but i lied. the bound official copy of my dissertation just arrived (yes, i know it has been 14 months), so instead i am sharing something much, much more special to me. something i have kept secret these long 14 plus months pending

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

2008-06-24T21:29:00.000-04:00

I would like to sincerely thank: Dr. Michael R. Lappin, for his inexhaustible support, friendship, and mentorship. My colleagues Jennifer Steinberg, Nicole Bennett, Dennis Macy, and Kristy Dowers for their counsel on matters both scientific and real and for their friendship. Jennifer Hawley, for always being there to say, “This time I just know it’s going to work,” and for being there when it

PIF to me!

2008-06-16T19:10:00.003-04:00

things have been pretty crazy here in K-ville... after an unsettling but brief post-vacation lull (think stillness before a natural disaster), work came like a fierce tsunami to swamp me. as usual, i was burning both ends of the candle in anticipation of an externally imposed pause. in this case, Roland's hip replacement surgery on Thursday. [after a very rough patch, he safely arrived home

completathon

2008-06-02T17:25:00.006-04:00

although it has taken a while to have much to show for it, i have actually been quite productive on the knitting front. as the objects kept accruing, leaving only dreaded finishwork and/or photos. this weekend, between various 'destroy the allergen' projects, i was able to focus on sewing seams, weaving ends and shiny happy photos (only moderately thwarted by gloomy skies). Sunburst this is a

beach holiday

2008-05-27T17:58:00.007-04:00

there is nothing like going on beach holiday to remind you how long it has been since your last beach holiday! Travy and i are just back from a week of sun, sand and smiles on Oklaloosa Island, Florida with the fam. it has been 3 years since the family last made a trip to Fort Walton Beach. a lot has changed since then - Grandma left our crew while Travy has signed on, Travy and i moved to

been doin' plenty but nothing to say...

2008-05-11T13:00:00.007-04:00

my creative fires have been exhausted by work and general living so instead i give a picture of the sight that greets me each day when i get home. as you will see, my 'winter' flowers are now fighting for real estate with the mounding perennials i planted last summer:isn't it love-er-ly?every day i drive home, half-expecting the violas to be on the wane, and every day i am joyfully surprised!

sorrowful rite of passage

2008-04-21T17:31:00.002-04:00

today, I got the following:...the passing of Dr Suzie Peterson, CAL'00. She was only 35 years old. Tragically, she was diagnosed in 2001 with the first prong of what became a progressively debilitating disease.I am very sad to report that Suzie Peterson finally lost her battle with chronic lung disease on Saturday (4-19-08). Katie Kangas and I and 2 of our other friends were with her the Tuesday

PIF/PIB*

2008-04-14T14:54:00.007-04:00

five weeks have passed. five long weeks of clinics. five weeks of minimal crafting and positively spartan blogging. now that is coming to an end. i am off clinics for one whole month. the expansion of my horizon is staggering. i see flowers everywhere - the trees have been gaily festooned [in my honor i am sure] and the ground fairly bursts with new life. i am not yet to the point of coherent

it was a rough ride 'til Travy set the kitchen on fire

2008-03-25T21:33:00.006-04:00

it has been a brutal week and a half. we have been overbooked and understaffed (due to illness and tragedy) at work. almost every case i have seen has had a tragic outcome or ending foretold. as seems common in veterinary medicine, the higher the stakes ('Fluffy is the only remaining tie to our son and we may die of heartbreak if we lose her') and the nicer the people ('but we are so very

Mystic Waters floats along

2008-03-18T19:31:00.003-04:00

so here they are, the promised photos of Mystic Waters. the winds are excellent today and it was all i could do to keep it from flying away like a kite in Mary Poppins! enjoy!! i also finished my Mischievous feet socks and am almost through with my first project using my own handspun. stay tuned to this space!!

closure ROKs!

2008-03-09T14:47:00.007-04:00

allergies have left me dizzy and short of breath, and the profound sinus pressure has laden migraine on top of it all. still, i hate to 'waste' free time and am happy to report i was able to use my limited energy to put a few more things behind me before starting back on clinics... after dragging along for months, both Mystic Waters and Valpuri hurtled to completion this weekend. Mystic Waters

my job is so interesting

2008-03-06T17:41:00.007-05:00

one of the great things about my job is that you never really know what is going to happen next. coming from a control freak like myself, that may sound weird but it is definitely true.sure, i always know i am going to have more planned than achievable. that my To Do list grows more than it shrinks. that each question answered will lead to two more. that no research idea will go smoothly or as

and now class, let's all share what we did on winter vacation

2008-03-04T18:25:00.008-05:00

Day 1: Kaki-what? Day 1 was a course in Kakishibu, a Japanese technique of dyeing using fermented persimmon juice and a variety of oxidative agents in concert with mechanical resistance to create patterns. It was entertaining, required minimal brain function (handy since i only had minimal residual function thanks to the plague), and some pretty results were achieved. In addition, I made a new

Gateway to limbo?

2008-03-03T06:41:00.000-05:00

so on the last night of a wonderful Madrona trip, the decision was made to go to Gateway to India for dinner. the restaurant was not within walking distance - based on total distance but also general shadiness of the intervening area - but it was anticipated to be worthwhile since Denise drives in with Mr CPA to Tacoma from Olympia to partake.Hope, Vanessa, Jen and i all trundled out to await the

The Great Grey Romney Massacre of '08:

2008-02-29T23:31:00.005-05:00

Why SOs should not be left untended with sharp objects, pets, pets that can act as sharp objects, fiber or any combination of the abovehaving come back from great learning and cavorting at Madrona - well, maybe not cavorting since i was in the full throes of the Knoxville plague - i owe a post about my amazing classes, amazing friends, amazing yarn and fiber and amazing crafting progress. this

its my birthday...

2008-02-04T23:01:00.000-05:00

yes it's today.i went and worked and taught and learned and then i got to play.[to the catching tune 'It's not my birthday' by the notable They Might Be Giants]so, yeah, today was my birthday. i got several super-awesome presentsLMom and Rol came for the weekend. we celebrated the miracle of getting to enjoy these moments together, laughed, and then celebrated some more.Travy and i had a Super

spinning progress, part 2

2008-01-27T18:15:00.000-05:00

first, i delight in showing how the Romney displays its loft post-bath. it is just delicious!after months in the darkness, i bring you Mango Sun - Sunshine from loop- an alpaca/merino blend with a WPI of 13 and 170 yds.here we have Wolf's Eyes, Australian Merino from Woolie's Fiberworks. there is 8 oz with a WPI of 17 and 430 yds total. last but certainly not least, this is 4 oz of Targhee top in

spinning progress, part 1

2008-01-22T07:39:00.000-05:00

in anticipation of Madrona i am working hard to achieve some closure on stagnant knitting WIP. still, they are growing as stagnant things do - slowly. my spinning however has been visibly productive. first up is Grey comfort. this is 6 bumps of Grey Romney from Denise with a pre-wash WPI of 16. I ended up with two skeins: 182 and 196 yd apiece. the yarn is remarkably even and i anticipate it

cats improved, house survives

2008-01-21T10:52:00.000-05:00

thanks to everyone who has been pulling for Mr. Head and Elise. it has been a stressful time here - what with all the vomiting, unformed poop, and general 'anything could happen' atmosphere. in exciting news, i can report that the cats Elise has started annoying the bejimminies out of me - knocking [expensive] things off end tables to prod me into feeding her sooner, trying to steal my lattes,

because PETA made it go away

2008-01-16T15:27:00.000-05:00

i have been resisting posting this, but after Lara brought up one of the many many ways that PETA is satan-spawn evil sucks, i find myself helpless to resist. although they could not be bothered did not have the resources to find homes for 3,031 of the 3,042 animals they 'rescued' in 2006 and consider it 'okay' to burn lab animals alive to make a 'statement', they found plenty of time and money

i can't believe we made it

2008-01-06T10:49:00.000-05:00

thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts and wishes for Mr. Head. i was able to take him home with an indwelling IV catheter for antibiotic administration. he is doing a bit better since he got home, energy-wise, though his appetite still sucks. his bile grew E coli that is sensitive to the antibiotics we chose and his blood work yesterday was somewhat improved. hopefully, his appetite and

my Mr. Head is sick

2008-01-03T20:24:00.000-05:00

even though it only started Wednesday, the week has been challenging. and now it has been a miserable, miserable day. Monday i went to work to check a couple things. in a good news/bad news twist, i found an approved IACUC protocol waiting.now, this is a good thing because i have been waiting, begging and pleading for weeks for this in the hopes of completing the study in time for the ACVIM

Christmastime has gone and the goose has gone as well

2007-12-27T08:19:00.000-05:00

another Christmas has come and gone, and i sincerely hope it has brought joy and love to all of your homes.it remains strange to have Christmas without Grandma (Mickey), but otherwise our traditions remain fairly unchanged - even with celebrating in Knoxville instead of Nashville. this year, for the Cookie drop we made Tollhouse chocolate chip, peanut butter, chocolate peanut butter chip,

the seventh inning stretch of holiday knitting...

2007-12-16T08:27:00.000-05:00

otherwise known as 'Next year I have got to make a schedule (and coordinate with shipping windows).'here it is, one week and some hours before Santa hitches on the reindeer to bring wonder to children everywhere. my trees shine merrily, the bushes twinkle and our shepherd's crooks remind me of mono-color candy canes. the new Christmas movies battle for viewing time against the ever thickening

Comfortless shawl

2007-12-05T09:25:00.000-05:00

last night, the person for whom i was knitting this comfort shawl died. though you know nothing of her, please keep her husband and two teenage children in your prayers.

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!

2007-12-03T08:12:00.000-05:00

oh joy, oh contentment- how i love Christmas! the decorations are finally up and this year there are so many. our place is so much bigger than my old apartment, so there is room, and i have many of my Grandma's Christmas things to bring her with us into the season. downstairs is my big ol tree: and now we have an upstairs for the little tree i got when i was an undergrad. i have decorated it

surviving the Fire Swamp and pansy showers

2007-11-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

first off, thanks to everyone for the support after my last post. it appears to have been a drug reaction! i have been able to wean off of a couple medications since the longer-onset allergy/asthma treatments have achieved full efficacy and am happy to report that the pain has mostly lifted. i think Travy is even happier than i am - he says that i no longer seem to be struggling just to live

where we celebrate the headache

2007-11-07T20:03:00.000-05:00

today i went to see the internist who also took my headache seriously. so seriously, in fact, that she ordered a same-day CT scan. six stress-filled hours, three work projects, and the first half of a sock foot knit, frogged and rebuilt, later... i am proud to report that although my mind may sometimes be dirty, my brain is clean!so tonight i am celebrating that i have a headache because -

odd ends

2007-11-06T07:50:00.000-05:00

my productivity has been poor, both craft-and life-wise, because i continue to struggle with the headache that will not die. two weeks ago, i realized it had been pretty much six weeks with no respite. the allergy meds had finally kicked in but the pain remained... bummer.