Visit to the Doctor

Today I finally had that appointment with my rheumatologist. The one that was interrupted by that pesky trip to the ER. We talked about my medications and after a long talk about the stress in my life, we talked about the bone density scan I am supposed to get.

Stress, you ask? Yes, things like foot stress fractures, wearing boots, ER visits, occipital headaches, and getting behind in my work happens to get me stressed out. She feels I need to get my partner to step it up more and take more of the responsibility on. Yeah. That should work. We may have to have a long conversation about that. She is really good when I am ill. She takes really good care of me. She picks up my Rx. But she has limitations on other things she can do. I am not putting her down. It's just that she doesn't drive so going to the store is pretty much out of the question except in emergencies. I am a vegetarian and she is not so we cook separately. She cooks for me when I am sick. I am trying to think of things she can help with outside the house but the list seems slim. Most things require a car.

Now I am thinking of things she can help with inside the house. I have this long list of things I need to do but I can't think of how she can help. You know how you have that list of things only you can do? Like prepare your taxes, make dental appointments, make medical appointments and make sure the procedure is approved. See what I mean? How can anyone help me with those things? Even if I had an assistant I would have to do those things myself. I guess I just have to dive in and check them off the to do list and find other things for my partner to take on.

I have been given the paperwork to get the bone density scan done. Plus some blood work. Luckily I don't need to do it right away. I can take a break for a few weeks. Phew!

Six Word Memoir

I read an article in the latest Oprah magazine.  It was pages of people writing a six word memoir. Kind of like the Good Morning America program that has been running where they have people hold up signs that have three words on them.  Like Good Morning America.  Or I Love You.  Or Marry Me Anne? Or Cured Living Long.

I started thinking about what six words I would write today because I am sure I would not write the same six words on another day.  What six words would I write today?  So much has happened in the last month.

Good health 

Great laughs 

Wearing shoes

What would your six word memoir be today?

Sitting in The Doctors Waiting Room

I was reading my sister-in-law's post for the day about time moving slow, while I was in the doctor's office waiting room.  I think doctors waiting rooms are like Las Vegas. The lights are bright, the room is cold, there are no clocks, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and the only thing missing is the gambling.  I sort of lose track of time. If only there was a slot machine to keep me busy!  People come, they go.  I still sit here.  Music, that is what is missing and show girls.  Think of what waiting rooms would be like with entertainment.  How much more fun it would be. 

At the lab where I give blood they have a flat screen that, when they first put it in, played only advertisements.  What a waste of money! This was when flat screens cost a pretty penny!  I guess there was a revolt because soon after CNN was on all day. No more ads.
 
Waiting rooms make up a significant part of my life. I do think that waiting rooms send me into another time speed. Like half speed. Because I know I show up at my appointed time but end up sitting in that darn waiting room for what seems like a long time. The worst is if I show up early; then it seems like wait three times as long!  If only I had a slot machine...

Update: My wart seems to have gone into hiding.  Last month it was all over the bottom of my foot.  This month it is almost gone.  I guess with all the rest of the trauma, my body had better things to do than worry about a stupid wart!  Ha!

Wearing Shoes Again

Today I got to wear shoes for the first time since Thanksgiving!  It was a momentous day.  I went to do errands and it took me no time.  I even forgot to do something and had to run out a second time!  This would have been catastrophic with the boot on.  I would have been SO bummed to have to make two trips with that stupid boot.  In and out of the car, taking the boot on and off.  Instead I could just step out of the car and get in the car.  Easy peasy!

I wore shoes that are actually stylish!  Tomorrow I am going to see a client and I don't have to wear a boot and a sneaker!  Yeah!  It has definitely picked up my spirits a bit.  That boot was really starting to get me down.  I want to get out of this house more.  I miss walking my pups.

I think it is starting to rain.  Good, we need rain. 

Good News

I thought my plan to have my Enbrel Assist help pay for some of my huge deductible had gone awry. Until today.

This week, the day after I was in the ER, I ordered my months supply of Enbrel. Then I held my breath. Which charges will get to the Insurance-Company-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named first? The hospital or Enbrel?

The answer came today. The Enbrel charges got there first. That means I have now met that $4,000 yearly deductible (in record time) and the Enbrel Assist will pay for the cost of this months Enbrel. The whole hospital bill will go directly to the insurance company. Yay!

To top things off, the New York Giants won the Superbowl. Not my favorite team but my favorite out of the two playing. It was a fun afternoon. We had our friend's kid over and he was, very unexpectedly, a lot of fun. He was so into the game. We have decided he needs to be educated on some pop references. He doesn't know "Rocky" or "Ferris Buellers Day Off". We are going to have him over to watch them. I guess I better check the ratings on them. Since I don't have people kids, I don't worry about things like ratings on movies.

It was a fun day overall and my pinwheels were a hit!

Getting Ready for Some Football

Spent the day getting ready for the Super Bowl. First a trip to Costco to make sure we have enough toilet paper and paper towels for the big day. Then in the evening prepping my awesome Spinach Gruyere Puff Pastry. They are delicious! Brenda made her pasta salad and will make chicken wings tomorrow for the guest.

We are having the neighbors kid over to watch the game. He came over during the baseball playoffs too. His parents don't watch sports so he likes coming to our house. We are very animated when we watch sports. He laughs so hard at our place. He reminds me of myself when I was little. I was so into sports and knew all the teams, the players, and the stats.

If you enjoy football, have a great time tomorrow and I hope your team wins. If you don't the Animal Planet has the Puppy Bowl on all day. Nothing is cuter than the Puppy Bowl!

Before I forget: Happy Birthday Courtney!

Some Observations From This Week

I thought I would write about some observations from this week.  I either didn't write this week because I was way too sick or I was writing about being sick.  Gosh what fun!  It has been a whirlwind week and I can't believe it is Friday already.

1. ER waiting rooms are an interesting place to people watch.  You really get to see people at their most intimate. I was trying to figure out what was wrong with everyone. (you can tell I had a LOT of time to kill)  Since it was not a trauma ER, some of the diagnosis were very hard.  As added bonus: at my ER I got to see an episode of CSI I had never seen before!
2. ER staff don't laugh a lot.  I guess there is not much to laugh about in their job but when I get scared or nervous, I crack-wise (as my Dad puts it) and I can't help myself.  I am a smartass.  Those ER folk are a tough crowd, I could not get a laugh or, even in some cases, a smile!  I know it is a serious job but they need to lighten up.  The stress alone will get them.
3. Okay, I have to admit it, I may have lied to some people about my condition.  There is a strange stomach flu going around and I have let people believe that I had the strange stomach flu instead of telling them I almost had a brain bleed.  Not my family or you my readers but clients and others.  It is easier to let them believe that I have the stomach thing that is going around rather than go into the saga of how I have some weird occipital headache.
4.  I have the best rheumatologist.  She is just such a mom.  First, she took one look at me and sent me to the ER (thank goodness) and then she called to make sure I was okay after going to the ER.  She is just the greatest!
5. Dogs are so intuitive.  My doggies know when I am ill and won't leave my side.  When I am in bed sick, they don't even want to leave me to go eat.  They lay on either side of me and, for once, don't argue over who is closer to and getting more attention from mommy.
6. Hospitals are boring when you are not prepared.  I was not prepared since I didn't think I was going to be going to the hospital.  I had nothing with me but my smartphone.  I had no book, no IPad, no magazines, nothing.  This makes for a boring 8 1/2 hours.  Sure most of the time I was unable to do much but it would have been nice to have something to look at.  I tried to read off my smartphone (which I normally can do) but it was so small, it made my head ache.
7. My neighbors are so nice.  When we thought I might be staying overnight, my neighbors were going to come and collect my car.  They were so helpful. The next morning I called to thank them and they wanted to hear the whole story and volunteered for any time in the future.  I say be careful what you volunteer for!!
8. At one point I was in a hospital bed with the sides up (meaning I could not get out), with an IV in my arm, and no pants or underpants on (I had a gown on!). I had just emptied an IV of fluids.  Oh, and I needed to pee.  Where was my nurse?  I wish I could tell you.  I waited and waited.  I had to pee so bad.  I finally saw her and got her to lower the sides to the bed, unhook the IV and find a screen so I could put my pants on.  All so I could go to the bathroom.  Relief.
9. It is such a wonderful thing to hear "you don't have a brain bleed".  Or Meningitis. 

Thanks for reading my observations for the week.

Looks Like I Am Going To Be Fine

Today I went to see my primary doctor.  I filled him in on all the parts he didn't know already.  He poked and prodded my head and determined that I have Acute Occipital Nerve Headache. Also known on the web as Occipital Neuralgia. As I was reading many of the symptoms were just what I experienced: sensitive scalp, head pain that made it hard to lay my head down on a pillow, and light sensitivity.  When I have migraines I don't have light sensitivity so that was a new thing.  In the emergency room I kept saying the light was so bright someone must be doing surgery in there!

I was told that this could be a one time thing or it could happen again.  Let's hope it is a one time thing!  If it does happen again, I have been issued some medicine that could stop the pain.  If I get these headaches on a regular basis, the next step is to stick a needle in the nerve in my head.  Lovely! 

I say NO more needles!  I have had too many needles.  Needles in my foot, in my spine, and in my now in my head?  I say NO! 

Anyway, I am taking it easy and hope to feel better in time for the Superbowl!  Thank you for all your kind words. 

Repost of 48 hours

Some folks did not get the email delivery of my last post from early this morning.  If you didn't, I apologize and the link is below.  I am not sure what is up with Google Blogger...  Have a nice day!

48 Hours Repost

Last 48 Hours

I am awake at 3:30 am either because I am hungry or because of the caffeine I was made to drink. What? You were made to drink caffeine? Well, let me tell you about my last 48 hours.

Monday started out as a regular day. I felt fine. I worked until 5:30pm and had all these plans to work that night. About 6:00pm I heated up my leftovers from the night before and sat down to eat dinner. After dinner I cleaned up the dishes and went into the the TV room and sat on the couch. The little pouch climbed into my lap and immediately a wave swept over me. I suddenly felt nauseous. I mean like an overwhelming surge. I curled up in a ball. Brenda came in and asked me if I was okay. I could barely speak. A few minutes later she came back and I was laying on the couch. That was when it was suggested that I go to bed. It was 6:45pm.

Not only was I nauseous but I had this pain in the back of my skull down at the base. It was very painful. On a pain scale I would say 100.

I tried to go to sleep but sleep was not my body's plan. No, it was no. The plan was obviously to go through hours of chills, muscle cramps, vomit, and pain. WAY more fun, don't you think? We were actually wondering if I had some sort of aneurism. It was a LONG night and just a pre cursor to the day ahead.

Some time around 3 am I fell asleep and around 6:30am the pain subsided. It didn't go away but I could at least get up and take a shower and drive to my 1pm doctor's appointment. I went to see my rheumatologist but on the way I left a message at my primary doctor's office telling him what occurred the night before. The minute my rheumatologist saw me she asked what was wrong and told me I needed to go to the ER immediately. I hate when doctors tell you that. I know I look bad but to have confirmed by a medical professional is always so depressing in a way.

So, in comes the wheelchair and I get whisked off to the ER. Well, yesterday must have been THE busiest day for the ER. There were at least four wheelchairs besides me in the waiting room. I saw the check in person and the triage nurse fairly quickly but since I was not bleeding or having a heart attack I was low on the list. I got to the ER at 1:30pm. I got in the ER doors at 3:40pm. I had told myself that if I had not been sent through the doors by 3:45pm I was going home. A girl can only take so much. Oh, don't get me wrong there was some interesting people watching. There was the poor lady with dementia/alzheimer's who asked her healthcare person every few minutes in a demanding voice "how long until we go in" and when the lady said they had to wait their turn she would demand that she "go ask the lady how long it be." Every time the nurse would come out she would ask her how long it would be. This would go round and round. Poor thing.

Finally I went in. The doctor who was on I had seen before and was a no nonsense, lay it on the line kind of person. She gave me fluids and morphine and told me I could have a brain bleed. A WHAT! Okay now you have my attention. Yes, migraine sufferers who present with pain that is not typical of their normal migraine could have bleeding on the brain. LOVELY!

To find out if one has bleeding on the brain there are two procedures 1)CT scan of the head. Okay. I am down for that. 2)Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture). NO, NO, NO. My biggest fear come true. You know how you have that procedure that you just never want to get? It just terrifies you? When you see it on TV you have to turn away? Well a spinal tap is that procedure to me. On TV the person is often crying and screaming and curled up on the bed. I didn't want that.

I was told that since I didn't come in while in the throws of the horrible pain (who wants to get in a moving car when they are vomiting and have muscle cramps and have head pain? Raise your hand. I see no hands raised!) there was only a small chance she would see anything on the CT scan but that was the first procedure. I voted CT scan. So off I went (after the prerequisite 45 min waiting period all hospitals have before any procedure) to get the CT scan. Then the wait for results. And of course it was the busiest night the hospital had seen in weeks.

The scan was clear. Good and bad news. Now I have to get the spinal tap. I start to cry. The doctor asks me what I am afraid of. I tell her I am afraid of the pain. She says most folks are afraid because she is behind them and they can't see. I tell her that is not my issue. She tells me it is not what I think it is. So I agree to do it. It wasn't bad. Imitrex shots hurt more. I am not saying I would like to get another one but it was not the crying, nail biting or screaming procedure the TV makes it out to be. I have conquered my fear!

The caffeine comes into play here.  It turns out that spinal taps can give you awful headaches.  One way it has been shown to not get a headache is to drink caffeine directly after having a spinal tap.  I drank two cups of Lipton's tea at 8:30pm.  No wonder I was wide awake at 3:30am!

Now comes hours of waiting. I do mean hours. Through all of this time I have out lasted three roommates and three nurses. You can image how long I have been in the ER. I had this one roommate who was so tired that she fell asleep when she arrived and slept through her blood draw and two procedures (one was an EKG).

Finally at about 9:20pm the doctor have the good news: clear fluid from the spinal tap! No meningitis, no infections and about three other things she listed. But no answer about the headache. Now I have to go see my primary doctor to sort that out. At 9:45pm I left the hospital and for those of you counting that was a total of 8 hours and 15 minutes and countless thousands of dollars! I think I have met that pesky deductible in record time! I could write a book on how to meet your $4,000 deductible in 31 days or less without really trying.

I went home to Brenda and the doggies where I finally ate something and went to bed after watching Alcatraz (can't figure out if I like it or even understand it.) The pain in my head has wained and I hope it stays that way. What a crazy 48 hours!