Monthly Archives: February 2016

A Little Scared and A Lot Worried

I just got back from my Monday appointment with Joleen. I finally decided, after the scary emotional swings this weekend, to fully disclose the full pain in my arm (I hadn’t really been hiding it consciously, I think I was mostly lying to myself). There were several episodes this weekend where the pain in my arm got so bad it pushed me to tears.

After talking with Joleen, and explaining everything, she seemed worried. I don’t like when my doctors get nervous. But, she is right. Normally, when my body randomly acts up, it just takes a few weeks to get it back into sync again. My arm pain came out of no where. I didn’t do anything, and it suddenly was killing me. We’ve been stretching my nerves, trying to release the tension, and rubbing out the knots for several weeks… and we haven’t made any progress.

If anything, I seem to be slowly getting worse…

New Symptoms or Just a Bad Day?

I’ve had some really bizarre emotional things going on today. Physically, I’m not doing too well either, but that is due to the weather suddenly shifting again (I hope).

I guess we’ll start at the beginning.

monday skiing 04

Me skiing at Beaver Creek.

We wanted to go skiing today. My arm has been killing me, and last night it randomly got really bad, pushing me to tears several times. No idea why, because I’ve been doing what I’m supposed to (exercise wise). We set an alarm for 5:45am (to get up there by the time the lifts opened), but we also had the condition of “we’ll see how you feel” (meaning how I felt, Dan said it). At 5:45, Dan asks how I’m feeling, so I had to lay there and force myself awake long enough to do a self assessment. Then I moved and pain shot through my arm. Not good. I told Dan and we decided not to go skiing.

That, as it turns out, was a phenomenal decision…

Grampa Surgery Update #4

Last I heard from my dad, a few days ago, Grampa was doing very well. In the 3rd, he was in a regular (non-ICU) room. He was also very talkative, the post-surgery swelling was completely gone in his face and mostly gone in his hands. I haven’t heard anything else, so I’m assuming he’s just been getting better and better! Thank you so much for all the kind thoughts! If I don’t update again, just assume that no news is good news. 😀 Thank you again for all the love you’ve all been sending to my family, is been very appreciated.

For Links Regarding Grampa, click here.

New Post Type – Making Money as a Chronic

As any Chronic will tell you, holding down a regular job can be almost impossible. Unfortunately, we’ll also tell you that medical bills add up scary fast (at least, those of us that live in the US, I can’t speak for other countries). Isn’t that a pretty puzzle? Getting disability pay can be almost impossible, especially if you aren’t qualified as “disabled” but just can’t hold down a job without pushing yourself into that category.

medical-bill

Just pile them on folks!

My body just can’t handle work. I worked in retail for a few years, prior to most of my diagnoses, and ended up getting plantar fasciitis so badly that I couldn’t walk without crutches and excruciating pain. I worked reception at a vet office, only to discover that even with the proper shoes the plantar fasciitis sucked AND my allergies decided to put my immune system on “emergency plane crash” mode. I went back to my retail job, and thankfully didn’t have too many issues with my plantar fasciitis. I also nannied, which were crazy long hours and way more spoons than I wanted to use in one day (I was doing the retail and nannying at the same time, so I was probably working over full time). Finally, Dan said, “Stop hurting yourself” and I felt like I was allowed to stop.

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Grampa Surgery Update #3

Dad visited with Grampa last night. He’s doing very well! Apparently he can sit-up and eat with minimal help. When my dad visited, Grampa was eating dinner. Dad said Grampa isn’t in much pain, so he’s also been able to get plenty of sleep and rest. I’m so glad he’s doing well! We’re still not out of the woods yet, so please keep your magical healing thoughts pointed his way… I’m sure they’ve been extremely helpful!

For Links Regarding Grampa, click here.

Grampa Surgery Update #2

I heard from my dad last night. He said Grampa was okay. He hadn’t woken up yet, which seemed odd to me, but the nurses said for his age and everything he’d gone thru it was okay. He was having a little bit of bleeding issues, but they weren’t concerning to the doctors, they just resulted in a need for another unit of platelets.

I just heard from Grama. She said he is doing okay and she’ll be going to see him shortly. My dad and aunt had already been to see him today, which probably means he’s awake and doing alright. I’ll get some more details from my dad later today!

Thank you again for all of the healing energy and love you’ve been sending his way! I’m sure it’s been helping!

For Links Regarding Grampa, click here.

Grampa Surgery Update #1

Grampa’s surgery started about 6am (he had to be at the hospital by 5am, so that’s the time I’m assuming they started). He just finished a little while ago (about 2:30pm I’m assuming). They’re closing him up now, since they had to reset the pacemaker (also pretty standard). It’s going to be awhile before he wakes up, maybe an hour, and he has to be in the cardiac ICU for 24-48 hours (standard procedure). He’ll probably have his breathing tube in for another 4 hours. He needed 2 units of blood, and 1 unit of platelets, which is not unusual for someone his age. However, so far it’s all been pretty routine and he is doing well! Thank you so much for all the positive energy you’ve been sending his way, I believe it really has helped!!!!

For Links Regarding Grampa, click here.

P.O.T.S and the Process for Someday Getting Pregnant

I went to see a high-risk obstetrician today for a preconception consultation. I AM NOT PREGNANT!!! ⇐ Just needed to throw that on there so people wouldn’t freak out 😛

Why did I go see the high-risk OB? Because of my POTS.

Someday, and someday hopefully fairly soon, I want to be a mother. To me, this is not an optional part of my life. I have wanted to be a mother more than anything for as long as I can remember. I would play house with my friends, and always be the mother (or father, since I was so tall). The only thing I know for sure that I need for myself out of this life is to be a mother and loving wife.

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