Drum Roll Please ….
Diagnosis – Doc is 90% sure I have Lupus. I now have a new medication to take and will do another blood test in 4 months and see him after that.
Today was a good day, as I hurt this morning, but, by the time I got to work, I was able to move without too much pain. After the doc appt., we went to Reno and had dinner then wandered the mall, looking for jeans. Hubby is now confused on the sizing of women’s clothes. HAH – I told him, now he understands why I am so frustrated when I go clothes shopping.
It was good to walk, but walking was hard. I got slower and slower as we wandered back and forth. I finally had to listen to my body and tell hubby that I was done and it was time to go home. I guess, I need to be more aware of my body and pay attention to what I can do and accept the things I cannot do, for now.
I’m still hurting, but I’m glad I have a diagnosis and a plan. As much as I’m not looking forward to NOT eating processed foods, I’m looking forward to investigating and discovering a new lifestyle diet.
So, thanks for hanging in with me while I was silent, waiting for test results.
Six Months!?!
Actually it is 6 1/2 months for my initial appointment with the Rheumatologist – my appointment is October 31st. What the heck!!!!! I guess we don’t have that many in this area, so they book out 6 months at a time. If I have something serious, I’ll be crippled by that time!! Argh!! Kinda frustrating on my end. We see our regular doc next week, we’ll ask him if this is normal for up here. One of his daughter’s that work in his office, said that 6 months is normal. Crazy, I tell ya, just Crazy!!!
I survived my 2nd full day at work!! Hubby’s not feeling well again, as he has a low grade fever. We both do not need this all over again. I’m finally feeling almost normal, I cannot get sick again!! Neither can he, he’s pretty aggravated also. *sigh* I don’t think it helps that it is still cold here and it was snowing today. I am so looking forward to 70′s this weekend. I may work in the yard! Well, as much as I can. I find I have to go slow in whatever I do. I walked to the post office the other day and I was moving at a turtle’s pace.
What next?
Or do I dare ask that question?
My hands have been hurting and swollen. So the last time I was in to see the doc I asked him if we could do the blood test to see if I had Scleroderma. I just got back from the doc, as he has received my results. My Rheumatoid Factor is above the normal range and my ANA result is Positive Abnormal. Now I know I’m abnormal, but to actually see it on the test … well …
Basically what this means is that I have to be referred to a Rheumatologist who will then do more testing to narrow down what I have. My doc feels I have one of the following: Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus or Scleroderma. Of these three I hope I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have seen with my own eyes what Scleroderma can do, as I had a sister who died from this disease. Lupus is not much better. But…now I get to play the waiting game as the Rheumatologists in this area are only in Reno and the wait is about 3 to 4 weeks or longer.
I’ve been using a squishy ball to massage my hands. Plus using lotion every time I wash my hands to keep them from drying out.
Have I told you how much this getting old stuff really stinks??? Well it does!!!!
What’s the point?
I went through the pre-op procedure for my surgeries. Wow, is our insurance messed up! We pay quite a bit per month in premiums and the only amount the insurance will pay is $246 per eye. Really? Wow, those of you that are on the State Retirement Plan – beware! Even the person at the surgical center confirmed that we were screwed as part of the state retirement system. How comforting is that?!?
I told my hubby that I’m tired of working to support all those that don’t want to work and I’d rather be part of the problem instead of part of the solution! Granted, we laughed, but … it get’s me thinking … why … What’s the point?
Yes, I’m griping, but where else can I gripe but here. You as the reader have the choice to move along or comment. It doesn’t matter. I’m just a bit frustrated with the system. And I don’t see it getting better any time soon. I think it’s time for me to find and buy my island to live on!
If I drank, I’d be having one!!!
An ending to a crap day. Don’t ya just love those? I went to the eye doc for a check up. I’ve been a bit disappointed as my right eye is still blurry even with my new glasses. So he says my cataract has grown. I may need to have that surgery. I have to go to his office in Carson because he has the scanner at that office. So … I’m so friggin’ thrilled I could throw a nice heavy rock through my window, just to hear the glass break! In my mind, I’m already breaking every thing in sight, including the televisions. I’m mad, sad, scared and disappointed. Aren’t you glad you are not me?
And The Envelope Please …
After several tests, the doc could see a film over my right retina which is pulling on the retina causing the blood vessels to leak into the film. The only way to get rid of this film is by surgery. So, the next step is to have the surgeon take a look at it and decide when to schedule surgery and all that jazz. Neither hubby nor I remembered to ask what caused the film, but I’m guessing it’s my diabetes.
There is a film in my left eye, however, it isn’t over my retina and not affecting my central vision.
So, I though I’d drop in to keep y’all posted. Hope you have a great weekend!
All of you Dads out there – Happy Father’s Day!!
Now What?
Sometimes I think to myself … Lord, you can come anytime, I’m ready to be done with this body. Then I think of my grand-babies and know I”m not ready to leave them. This past week was one of those times when I was ready for Him to come.
Something new and exciting for me … Wet Macular Degeneration … for information on this, click here. I’m not sure how I feel about it and I’m not thrilled there is no cure, but I’m thankful there is something they can do to try and slow down the progression of the vision loss.
I found out on Thursday afternoon that I had this and the doc wanted to get me in the next day to get the testing done right away., however, his and my schedule just wasn’t going to work. I’m not thrilled there is a week wait, but then again, I need the week to prepare myself. I’ve gone through all the normal initial reactions and now I’m slowly getting to acceptance. It is, what is it and with God’s grace and guidance, strength, comfort and peace, I’ll get through this. There have been times I’ve been sad, angry, frustrated and plain ticked off, but I’m working through it.
Thursday is the day I go through 2 hours of testing so my eye doc can determine the next plan of action. Prayers are welcome and I’ll keep y’all posted.
Now back to my regular scheduled rant
Do you all know what day it is?? Normally it would be the income tax deadline, however, this year it is April 17th. But still … as usual … I’ve waited until today to do the lovely paperwork. Why do I wait so long? Because it never fails, I have to pay at the end of the year, which really ticks me off. I always hear about people getting really great refunds, etc. What the heck is their secret?? They must be way better record keepers than I am! Yes, I would like some cheese with my whine, Thank you very much!!
Of course, I could cook up great deductions, etc … however, that wouldn’t be right and besides, I would be the one that got caught! So, I play by the rules and get (blanked) every year. I really dislike this time of year!
I’m feeling sort of better. Throat doesn’t hurt as much, it’s just irritated as my sinuses keep draining. Fourth day of antibiotics and one would think I would be feeling great! Yeah, not quite the case, but I am ssssoooo ready to go back to work. Daytime TV is not entertaining! The only things worth while watching are the NCIS reruns.
Well, I stopped in to rant and rave … I guess I’ll sign off. I need to do the dishes. Oh goody!!
Happy Sunday, y’all!
Oh Duh, How Could I Forget?
I forgot the most important thing from last week. I’ve contributed to the funding of our local county sheriff’s office. Yup, I got a ticket in old red. After waiting on the 100+ of the 55+ years old at church, I was so exhausted when it was time to drive home. The light in town changed to yellow and I was so brain dead that I didn’t react. Just as I entered the intersection, it turned red. Yeah, I have the nice reminder to send my $150 to the local justice court, so I don’t go to the pokey, on the fridge! I so did not need this, but it was totally my fault … plus the deputy was a cutie so how could I be mad. Men in uniform … I’m such a sucker!
Happy Sunday
I have to have my picture taken today … Have I mentioned how much I dislike having my picture taken? Well, I have no choice as it is for work. Since I don’t wear make-up, I was going to buy make-up, then I figured …. why? As it would be for this one time. So, hah … who knows how the picture is going to turn out.
Last night was the Parade of Lights in our little town. We didn’t go. I spent a couple of hours working on the fallen leaves in the backyard and it took the rest of the day to recover. Plus it was very cold and I could not get warm last night. I could hear them, but the show in front of our house was interesting. People didn’t realize that our street was closed during this time. So they would drive by our house, then see the barrier and have to figure out how to turn around with parked cars on both sides of the street and impatient people behind them. Demolition Derby was coming to mind. I don’t know why they don’t put up a sign one street above, notifying them that the street is closed. That would make so much more sense.
Unfortunately I don’t have all the leaves done. The hopper was full, even with stomping them down. I probably could have made a little more room, however, my neighbor came home … yes, that one …. and I didn’t want to listen to her drama de jour. So I quickly pulled the heavy hopper out of the yard and back in its place then took off my boots, so I could walk through the back door. I didn’t make it in time as she was taking her trash out … thankfully, I was half way in the house and only said hi while closing the screen.
Hubby is so funny. I got a gift of cookie fixings, we just need to add butter, eggs & vanilla. So he took the butter out last night and would check it every 10 minutes to see if it was soft yet. Well, considering the house is set at 60 degrees, it would take awhile. So he’ll probably tackle it today.
Speaking of hubby, the Vikings and Broncos are playing today. He’s still sleeping … I’m amazed that at present the Vikings are ahead. But … it’s still early in the game yet. So after a quick check of the score, I’ll switch it back to NCIS. Well, let’s see, after the 2nd quarter is over. Well, that was interesting. 15 to 7, Vikings. Maybe he should stay asleep … LOL!
Well, it’s that time to get ready … ugh! Y’all have a great rest of the weekend. What I was stopping in to talk about, I’ve already forgotten. This getting old crap is for the birds!!
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