My Turn to go to the Doctor

I didn't really think I would get through my check up unscathed since I went clunk and passed out last week. I haven't been sent for the MRI of my head (yet) but did get referred for an Echo cardiogram, which was a test they also ran on my mom. So you see, we still have the two for one thing going.

So my internist did ask the million dollar question (thank you Katy and Kara for your astute medical knowledge...) "So why do you think these are migraines?" Uh...well...because I did get lots of headaches, sometimes with these episodes, although often not, and someone said so a long time ago and it never really got challenged or worked up. Well, my time has come.

The first passing out episode I had like this was when I was a young teen (I think...hard to remember) I did see a neurologist once upon a time who thought it was epilepsy, and then another said no, it wasn't. I can't really remember when or who decided they were migraines, but when I started taking preventive medicine my headaches did get a lot better. It was always assumed that my "episodes" were the aura that went with the migraine, as in the past I did get a headache. But over the past few years it has changed. So my official diagnosis is "syncope and collapse" . Do you think I might get some sympathy for my syncope?

So I had an EKG (normal) and we'll see what the Echo shows (I suspect nada) and then I guess it will be my turn to trot off to neurology. My primary did say I was very non chalant about the whole thing. But she also agreed that if I had some weird heart arrhythmia I probably would be six feet under by now, so that was tremendously reassuring. My last episode like this was about two years ago and somehow I managed not to pass out by the skin of my teeth, but really freaked out my co-worker (I was in California) who wanted to take me to the ER without passing go. I said "NO!" (And was I complaining about my mother as patient?!)

OK, so I had blood work, a tetanus shot so I'm covered for the next ten years if I step on something nasty, and I'll stay tuned.

In the meantime, there have been more health developments for my mom and Matt.
On my mom's MRI they really didn't come up with any plausible explanation for why she was falling, they did NOT see any signs of Alzheimer's (something that relieved her tremendously) but they did see a funky spot, that coupled with some weird blood results have now bought her a referral to the hematologist to rule out multiple myeloma (it involves that ugly "C" word and plasma cells). The neurologist also wants to do a couple more tests, so she will be back two weeks from Sunday for the next round of medical care.

As for Matt, let me just say I understand all about HIPPA and the need for confidentiality, but it can be a huge, let me say HUGE pain in the butt. Suffice it to say that there were MRI results, but since Matt wasn't here, no one could talk to me. I understood that, but patiently explained that he was away the (holiday) weekend somewhere where he could not get cell phone reception and would only be home Tuesday before disappearing for Ithaca. It would be really nice to talk to someone about results before he took off. Nothing. So he called Tuesday. Nothing; no one returned the call. So I called back at like 4:30 Tuesday afternoon and handed the phone to Matt. Everyone except a PA unfamiliar with his case had gone home for the day (surprise). OK. So why did I call on Friday afternoon trying to explain all of this?
So I emailed the doc, after getting Matt's written consent to satisfy the HIPPA police and got an email back saying so sorry, but he had left instructions to schedule an appointment with Matt immediately upon getting the MRI results. Um....let's see, that would have been Tuesday, but obviously there was a glitch.
He wants to discuss Matt's wrist face to face (good luck) but did say there was quite a bit of old trauma and that it probably had involved a break and torn ligaments since March (they missed the diagnosis in CO). Now this is not going to be fun. He does have insurance for the moment...since his internship is FT they reinstated him, but I'm not sure where surgery is going to fit in with his internship this fall and hopes for snowboarding next winter. Should be interesting.
Don't worry, I will keep you updated on negotiating the health system 101.

Today's Sneak Preview...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition , with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6)

This is one of my favorite verses, and yes, you've read it here before. Remember those eagle's wings from yesterday? Well, add them to the prayer I will undoubtedly need to get me through today and I guess that's what is meant by getting through on a wing and a prayer. Today, I have a feeling, is going to be one of those "flying through life by the seat of my pants" kind of days...

It's only 8:21 in the morning and already I have had a lesson in patience and hopefully Nicole has had a preview of natural consequences. We got all the way to school, early and on track for the mega day ahead that doesn't have nearly enough margins in it between things...and she realized she had forgotten to put her homework agenda back in her backpack after I signed it. I had time to drive back home (which is way out of the way and backed up with insane traffic for our little town because of the bridge being out between here and there...) but then had to make sure I gathered everything I needed for the day because I won't get home till after 4, maybe later...But we had a little conversation about whose job it was to pack the agenda in the backpack. Final warning, final answer. Hers. And the next time I won't go back to get it.

Other things that I will be skidding through today, hopefully without getting brush burns...

• Dropping off a friend's son at the high school, which is why I have time to post now. I had just enough time to sit here for fifteen minutes, but not enough time to run home (again).
• A meeting in the next town for service projects we will be doing for our upcoming Faith in Action campaign at church. Of course, we never got confirmation of where the meeting is for sure, so there could be extra steps involved there too...
• That meeting is followed by a meeting with our ministry director to get back into leadership mode in the Outreach initiatives we are involved with.
• Matt is coming home today for a die contrast MRI of his wrist; the injection is at 1:30 the MRI at 2:45. We are running a special on MRI's in my family...I will try to get to some of that.
• School pick up is also at 2:45 and 3:15, then Tianna has a doctor appointment at 3:30.
• In the meantime my mom is withdrawing into a shell and it is hard to see.
• Cheering practice tonight at 6 for Nicole for two hours.
• A discussion with Matt somewhere along the line about how much we will be able to support him this fall.

I'll let you know how it all works out.

Growing Weary...

...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31)

Well, yesterday was a weary day. I'm glad that when I look up I can be encouraged, its when we forget to look up and get dragged down that things can really start to slide...so the cool thing about God's promises are that the truth of His words will bless us when we keep our end of t he deal. And life without hope is pretty bleak.

So, several things made yesterday a weary kind of day, and it would have been really easy to get discouraged.

• It was the first day of school, and the years just are flying by faster and faster. Tianna took the bus, which is a choice she made, but also simplifies things for us on the logistical end significantly. The stop does require that she cross a busy road. I know that its the law to stop behind the flashing red lights of a school bus, but some people are just nuts. I won't embarrass her by crossing her over, but I do wait to make sure she gets safely across. We are also getting up earlier than we have in the past which adds to the weariness, but it was more of an emotional weariness.
• I spoke to Matt and the two living situations he was pursuing in Ithaca for the fall fell through. It's his deal to get a place, but I just cant' totally divest myself of "mom". There have got to be better options than a year lease for a place that he only needs for four months. This is a lesson in see what happens when you wait till the last minute. Unfortunately the last minute has typically worked for him...
• I took my mom for her MRI last night. It is difficult to see your parents age, and I have a feeling there may be some significant lifestyle changes coming down the pike. She is very strong willed (maybe that is where Nicole gets it from...) and I question how compliant she will be....but we'll see.
• I have been missing exercise since June, so I went to spinning class today, and that made me physically weary :)
• The girls arguing after school also made me weary.

And I could probably add a few more...

So soaring on wings of eagles is sounding pretty good right now...as does not being faint. So I ended my day after the girls were in bed and after Howie and I had a chance to catch up by talking to my dear friend Katy until I was so weary I had to go to bed. But I went feeling hope and at peace with the world.