First, before we get to me, my Dad is in Cardiac Care. One of the valves between an upper and lower chamber of the heart (Mom didn't know which side of the heart when she called me) has failed. 6 months ago there was a hole that was 2.5 cm squared allowing blood through, and he was in a "watch it and see status." Today the hole was on .5 cm squared, drastically reducing bloodflow. He'll be getting a pig valve to replace the failed valve. As of this morning, he was running a fever from something unrelated, and they want to do an angiogram and see if there are any blockages that should be bypassed while they're in there -- no one wants to have to crack his chest open twice. I checked, and prayers, good vibes, good wishes and healing energy are all gratefully accepted by Al C, roughly in Kansas City, KS. Shawnee Mission hospital, I believe.
My Mom had a quad bypass the day after Labor Day last year. The staff all recognize them. It's my strong desire and hope that they won't be spending Labor Day -- and Mom's birthday -- in the hospital next year, but that the two of them will have a pleasant and relaxing holiday together. So mote it be.
As for me, I've been very frustrated with my doctor at the clinic I go to; she has yet to write a prescription for my pain meds correctly. I thought I was seeing her today. Instead I saw Dr. Young, who will soon be opening private practice in Golden. journeyrose, if you still lived in Lakewood, I would send you to him when he opens he practice.
First thing he asked, after skimming the intake sheet, which stated my pain level was once again a 9, was "Why are you on Tramadol?" He took me off the Tramadol and Sulindac, and wrote me 20 day's prescription of Oxycontin 10 mg. In his patient notes, he says he's starting on a small dose because I'm "opiate naive." I should be scheduled for an MRI (I'll try to get a mammosquish that day too) soon, full spinal series, and I will be referred to a pain management specialist.
So for right now I can't drive, until I know how the opiate affects me. If past experience, which is minimal, and the experience of others is a good rule, it will either all go to easing my pain and I won't get fuxxy, or if I get fuxxy, I'll become clearheaded after a couple of weeks.
The doctor also announces while I'm there "You should get your stomach stapled." I said, "No." He said "Why?" and I replied that I preferred to lose weight in a healthy manner. He said, "OK," and we went back to the pain issue.
He took my case away from my previous doctor, saying he believes in aggressive treatment. Since her treatment was certainly not aggressive, I was quite willing to become his patient instead.
Towards the end of the rather rapid-fire visit, we slowed down, and I explained to him that I don't believe in weight loss surgery. He said "neither do I." I apparently look surprised -- I mean, he'd suggested it to me within two minutes of meeting me -- and he explained that most patients are not motivated to lose weight in a healthy manner, they want the quick fix. From what he heard from me and Doug, he now believes I am motivated to actually exercise and eat right to improve my health, so the weight loss surgery has been taken off the table. Whew.
If we can reduce my pain levels, I can take myself to the gym, and unship and ship up the power chair without much problem. Up till now, I was in too much pain to pull out the ramp, roll out the chair, bundle up the ramp, put it away, do what I want to do, and then reverse the process. Lifting the ramp while in pain was the sticking point.
I'm a lot more hopeful about my pain situation now than I was going into the doctor's office early this afternoon. I'm relieved as well. With my pain better controlled, then we can explore the reason my hands go numb; I wouldn't be surprised if it were something like Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. But that has been less pressing than being in extreme pain for some strange reason.
I do need a new swimsuit. At the moment I'm supersized, which limits my selection, but I'm going to browse around and see if I can find a clearance swimsuit to replace the one I have, which is at least 10 years old.
On the crochet end, the Crone's shawl is completed, and She liked it a great deal. The reason I needed it was apparently a success, and my Lady has announced that the shawl is Hers. I know better than to argue, so apparently my paphernalia needed for Drawing Down formally has gotten one item bigger.
Now that I'm back from my trip, and especially if my pain is better managed, I can make the shawl for my friend C that she bought the yarn for a year ago. Hopefully, I can get it done for her quickly, as it won't be long till it's cool enough for a shawl in Denver.
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