Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The Results are Coming - big deal! Dallin was here!!!






Tommorrow is the day for the last of the major testing. So far including EKGs, MRI, numerous blood test & the Carotid Doppler Flow - the insurance is over $6300 in payments. I have grumbled over the $380 for co pays & med co pays at least we have great insurance that pays within 2 weeks. Tomorrow I have my EEG that requires needles in the head to see brain activity. EEG prep includes washing hair, rinse 3 times, no conditioner - I will look like a dufus. EMG & NCV requires needles in the muscles with electrical currents shot through the needles to see if the muscles properly contract. Prep includes bath & no lotions, deodorant, or perfumes of any kind - I will smell bad & have dry skin & still have hair that is standing out. haha!

Afterwards, I have an appointment with the cardiologist & hope to rid myself of this stupid box ( Dual Alert AFIB ) that catches irregularities in my heart EKG & records 2 minutes of each one. After 6 recordings,it must be called in & downloaded on a land line phone. I know of 2 landlines one at Jean's & one at Dare's - both of which I have used but usually it means a pay phone. Since it screeches like a load fax machine, it needs to be private or it scares people or they give me looks like I am up to something. I sometimes must download twice a day so Dare's & Jean's are too far. I found a outside payphone at a service station not too far away but must admit as it records automatically if I did not feel symptoms I will "fake" download & just clear it. I am tired of it , so I hope the Dr will remove it tomorrow. They are looking to see if I have a irregular heart beat or an irregular heart beat that is normal. No clue how they tell the difference. I like Dr Parsons a lot but the walking and 25 lbs weight loss & change in foods mini discussion leads me to believe this is not going to be an enjoyable discussion. haha

Next comes the GI testing, colon test, and whatever he called the light into the stomach thing. Can you tell I am tired of the testing? I delayed these because brain & heart, plus MS testing seemed like enough for me. I will come back to them after the results are in for the other tests. The no milk, no aspirin, no bc's, no caffeine - Dr Pepper, Coke & even chocolate, plus cut back on spicy foods has made a huge difference in my stomach issues. I have adjusted but even when out I never drink Dr Pepper but a very occasional coke if the food is spicy. I drink more water than I have in the last 30 years - I do like a little lemon in it though.

So far, we know a heart murmur, my left ventricle valve leaks a couple of drops backwards, left ventricle has some thickening & systolic function issues, the carotid bulb has plaque (they call it discrete) & should not require treatment at this time, my triglycerides & LDL cholesterol are high, my Vitamin D is so low it is off the chart, Vitamin B12 is low, TSH is high, & something called Amylase Serum is pretty high (but since I do not know what it is I am not worried about it- haha). A couple of other low items but already treating with meds so no problem. BOY, it sounds worse written than it is. The MRI - neurologist is withholding information until he sees me - has not even sent to my family doctor (Internist). The neurologist thinks a lot of himself - might I say. For the $2700 they charged for them, I would like the results of the MRI before 9/2.
Oh well, no news is good news for me. My Internist doctor was not amused to be out of the loop & plans a phone call to neurologist. These guys are territorially :)

I am a little nervous about tomorrow but only because the EMG is suppose to be slightly painful but causes muscle pains for a few days. Like recovering from a hard workout. Mark & I have plans for weekend & I do not want to whine & complain all weekend, LOL I grateful to have great doctors, friends & family who love me & have shown it (you know who you are) , a super insurance company, Heavenly Father that gives me the peace of mind of what is = is meant to be, and a loving husband who supports, cares, and loves me with all his heart - the constant worrying he does we could both do without. My nights of crying and fearing the results are over.... if the worst happens then it was meant to be & as Mark says we will sell everything we have & spend of last time together with the same joy we have always had together.

HIGHLIGHT!!!!!!
A short visit from Dallin was a great pick me up & reminds me of what is important to me. We picked him at a McDonald's about 8:30pm on Friday from his other grandparents - sadly my MRI could not be moved so he spent most of Saturday with Dare & the boys while Mark & Ryan moved the boat (it had to be moved that day or pay $375 more), then Dallin & I drove to Lowlands to pick up Mark & Ryan thru the nowhere lands lol. Sunday we spent a while alone with Dallin some of it playing his new Wii game (he is very good) & then Dare, Ryan & the boys came over, on Monday Dallin & I went to Chuckie Cheese & hung out shopping, then a drop in from the Peeds & off to the airport by 5pm . A small thunderstorm with lightning held the plane about 45 mins so Papa waited upstairs & Grammer waited downstairs for about 1-1/2 hrs - now do I look dangerous to you???? LOL Boy that 2-1/2 days went by way too fast - I am ready for another visit from Dallin. So are the twins - they adore him. I lost the 1/2 day but they gained from my loss.

Life is good & I am trying to enjoy it!!!!!!

2 comments:

myglorydays said...

LOL - The picture of Dallin, Owen & Elijah playing Wii - looks like my doppler on the photo.

Jean said...

I know you will be glad when all the testing is over and you can know what your final results are so you can have peace of mind and not be constantly worrying about what it "could be". Knowing is always better than the unknown...at least that is what I think anyway! I know it is all going to work out okay and you will be better than the rest of us in the end..hehe! I'm glad you have good doctors that are taking care of you and feel grateful that you can get all of this done....technology is wonderful and always amazes me at how much they can do now to make our lives easier. I know you will do whatever they ask you to and you will have the strength to endure thru all of this! I am glad you got to spend some time with Dallin and as always you get to have quality time with Dare's kids. It is wonderful to have them so close! I love you!