Sorry For The Neglect

I do not mean to neglect my readers. Not that I believe I actually have any sort of a fan base or anything. I'm too self-centered to be that interesting, right? This blog usually revolves around me & mine, for the most part.

Things are getting interesting again though. I might get some more readers wanting to learn more or follow my journey through Cushing's Disease. We shall see.

I know I posted on Thursday, but I guess I really haven't updated since like Monday. Time is just slipping away from me lately. I pretty much spent this week too exhausted to do most of the things I needed to do. I spent more money than I had to spend. And I waited and waited to make appointments with DRs that were too busy to make time for me, which is really concerning when I keep being told I need help immediately because my condition is fatal, blah blah blah. Grr.

On Tuesday I took little Johnny for his Synagis shot. He hates those. He gained a few ounces. He weighed 9 lbs. He was 8 lbs. and 12 oz. on Sunday. I brought his cousin, J-a-n-a with us while her car was getting worked on because she was bored while waiting. I forgot to bring the Vaseline (which I am suppose to apply a lot of during each diaper change of Johnny's for his circumcision), So I had to have J-a-n-a run into to Sev (7 11) and get us a small jar of that, and some water for us to drink 'cause I was really thirsty. Not too long after getting to the Children's Lung Specialist, Little Johnny started getting thirsty too (well hungry, rather, but he drinks his food, so you get my drift). Well guess what I realize I forgot then? I'll tell you this, I remembered the bottles, I even remembered to measure and fill them with Horizon Falls Water (the best stuff). I also remembered to bring his formula. So what did I forget to bring? NIPPLES. I had no nipples for bottles!!!!

This tumor is really starting to tick me off!
"In the frontal lobes, dopamine controls the flow of information from other areas of the brain. Dopamine disorders in this region of the brain can cause a decline in neurocognitive functions, especially memory, attention, and problem-solving."
Yes, this is another problem I am having. And where it says "especially memory", oh my Lord, it is no joke! :( My short term memory is bad bad bad. It's embarrassing too.

After his shot we dropped Johnny off with my Mom. Then J-a-n-a and I had lunch at Olive Garden.

Then I dropped her off at the bookstore (she asked me to) and I went to the store (two actually). I spent WAY more money than I should have. I did more impulse buying than I thought I would. However, I got everything on my list too. But hey, I finally got new ink cartridges for my printer!

Wednesday (I think) I was really sick. I barely even remember it. I think my husband brought home Subway for dinner that day.

Thursday I was feeling a little better. I made all my DR appointments except for with a Neurosurgeon. I'm just real leery about that for some reason. I know I'm going to have to have brain surgery once the Endocrinologist confirms Cushing's Disease. But I also know I'm not going to have the surgery done by a Neurosurgeon here in Nevada, so I'm wondering why bother meeting one? Then again, I could learn a lot while I'm here in Nevada and spend less time in California having to understand everything. I'm undecided.

I took my Mom and all three kids to get water, we had planned to go get groceries afterwards, but I was exhausted already and my husband was going to be home so I decided he could watch the kids while we go to the store. That worked out much better. I didn't get everything I needed or everything that was on my list. Again, I just got too exhausted.

My pharmacy called and they were able to get my DR to write an order for a prescription for my heartburn medication that was "on my insurance formulary list" so that I could actually afford it. It's not as good as the stuff they gave me at the hospital when I was living there, but it helps. I picked that up on the way home from the grocery store. When I went through the pharmacy drive-thru and rolled down the window, the window on the car I'm borrowing got stuck in the rolled-down position, but my husband got it fixed and back up for me when I got home. Yay!

The car is pretty messed up, it's not nearly as nice as it is was when I was borrowing last year. It's been in an accident and the passenger side is dinged up really bad. It makes strange noises and has a few service lights that always come on. I'm glad we didn't buy it now. I didn't know it was in such bad condition. I don't even know if it's worth $800. But it's not my permanent problem.

It will probably keep ticking for a good while just because it's Buick, but it definitely has some irritating quirks.

I spent the day time Thursday setting up my DR appointments. I know I already said that. Actually, I had to look, because I forgot if I had mentioned that already. See, it's that short-term memory stuff I was telling you about. So my first appointment is Monday. I'm having a CT scan of my abdomen. I'm also having my blood drawn. I also had to pick up a drink that I have to shake it and then drink 2 hours before the scan, it's called Barium (it says it's banana flavor). They told me to be there 1/2 an hour early for my last drink. Hmm. I'm also not supposed to eat 3-4 hours before the scan, and if I do it should something very light.

After that, my next appointment is March 25 (I think) with the GI Specialist and then March 26 with the Endocrinologist (a female). Usually I prefer male DRs in all areas except for OB/GYNs. But, oh well.

My General Practitioner right now is also a female. Who I am pleased with because she diagnosed me, but still not satisfied with her for not working with me on pain management.

Speaking of her, I need to get my records from her. I want to know exactly how much Cortisol was found in my urine. I like DRs that give me more medical details and are willing to share my chart information with me. Like when I was in the hospital, I didn't have to ask what my blood pressure was, they just told me and if I was sleeping, they wrote it in my journal for me.

Oh yeah, when I went to pick up the Barium from the Radiologist, I asked for my MRI films and written report. They said I can pick up my films on Monday after my CT scan appointment and they printed my written report for me right then. I'm also supposed to tell them on Monday that I want my CT films so I can get them faster.

CLICK TO ENLARGE


Apparently I also have Sinus Disease. Which just goes to show how big this thing is that it's pushing on my sinuses and my optic regions. I can't say I'm surprised.

From what I can find reading stuff on the internet, the CT scan is probably going to be looking for an Adrenal Gland tumor and to check for internal bleeding. Here's the scoop that I have been too embarrassed to mention for the last couple weeks. I've been bleeding from my rear-end for weeks now. Only when I go #2 though. Could be hemorrhoids, could be something more serious.

My General Practitioner didn't check it out personally because she said it doesn't matter if she saw hemorrhoids or not that she's still going to refer me to GI Specialist with me having that type of symptom so there was really no point in her doing that. Fair enough! I don't want anyone looking at my rear-end for unnecessary reasons.

Come to think of it, it seems like it started right around the time I had that MRI with contrast dye done. Hmm. I wish I could remember more specifically. This CT scan will be with contrast too. Although I think the Barium is a contrast which would mean it's a different kind.

Today I took my oldest daughter to Peter Piper Pizza to spend her tokens that she's been saving. It was a DOTW prize that she was owed. Her original award for that week was actually supposed to be her and I going to the movie theatre together, but she traded it for that. Way cool! It was cheaper and less time I have to spend out in public. I get exhausted and anxiety bad. I kind of want to be antisocial at times, and like hermit-ish. I don't like people seeing me like this.

When got home I heated up a wonderful, already cooked, very large dish of Lasagna that Michelle from church brought over earlier in the afternoon. She is such a sweetheart and her kids are very polite and good-looking too (she brought them with her and I hadn't met them before). She home-schools them, I totally envy her for that! She is an amazing person. She's also one of church singers; which John is planning to do too, if ever he can just find the time! Anyways, I like the way she sings.

Before bed I spent some time printing some pictures off my computer, I will still need to burn them to CD before deleting them and regaining hard-drive space, but it's a start! Unfortunately, I've already used up my color ink cartridge I just installed when I began printing the pictures tonight. I still have a couple hundred more (not exaggerating) to print. The kids want pics for their photo albums too. I only printed 50 3 1/2 x 5 pics. That sucks! Still cheaper than paying someplace else I think.

Oh yeah, I forgot Olan Mills called and said Johnny's pics are ready to be picked up. I'll need to get those still. I want to take the kids this weekend for pics with the Easter Bunny. Actually I think I'll just get one pic of all three of them with Easter Bunny. And I'm going to try to take it myself instead of paying some idiot who won't get a better shot than me for it!

That Lasagna is calling me I think I'm going to have a midnight snack!

If any DR or even someone who is better with search engines than myself can translate some parts of my MRI report I'd be grateful. I mean I get most of it. But it would be cool to know exactly what it meant word for word. Thanks.