Cold Weather Has Arrived. Ugh.

The cold is here and it is yucky. I live in Southern Louisiana so it is not as cold as some of you.  

For in case you don't know Southern Louisiana's weather is weird. It can be sunshine in one area and one mile away it could be raining. 

Yesterday, as I walked out the door it was in the 80's and cloudy. We did have high rain percentages but in the afternoon so I was hoping and praying I would make it home before. That wasn't the case. 

I had to travel to my childhood hometown, of New Iberia 45 minutes away. Half way, in Broussard I stopped to have my hair cut at my niece's shop. She is awesome. Since I know some of you live around here I'll give my niece a free ad. She owns Salon Muse In Broussard on Albertson Parkway. She has a Facebook page. So if you need a hair cut I highly recommend her. Not because she is my niece, but because she is good at what she does.  If you need the phone number message me and I'll give it to you.

Then I made my way to my destination, New Iberia. I went to the Rosary House. I've wanted a Nativity Scene for ages. I decided it was the time. It's a table top one.  I'll be sure to post a picture.

It was time for my GI appointment. The PA stated my residual symptoms of the gastroenteritis could be from my gallbladder. I'm waiting for my appointment to do an ultrasound of my gallbladder.

After my appointment  I was making my way back home to my little hick town that I love. About 5 minutes driving on the interstate, it started raining Two miles further it abruptly stopped. However, about 20 miles later rain resumed and it got a lot worse as I went along.  At the busiest area I could hardly see but there was this one particularly moron going 50 miles an hour weaving in and out of traffic. He nearlyclipped me and ran a woman off the road. We both honked our horns and made gestures at him.   It was stressful.

.Luckily, I wore a long sleeve shirt although it was in the 80's. According to the meteorologist the temperature dropped 30 degrees in 6 hours. It was windy and cold. The next few days more rain and colder is to come. They also say we may get few sleet pellets and snowflakes but it won't accumulate. Thank God. 

I was watching a video of a family who lives in UTAH and they have snow. It is beautiful and so serene but I wouldn't want to live in it.

Until next time...stay safe and warm

Thanks for dropping by!

Gastroenteritis Sucks!

HI EVERYONE!

It's been a rough few weeks. I couldn't get rid of a urinary tract infection.  Then when I finally conquered that something else came up. Tis my life. Sigh.

This may be too much information but it is my life. For the past 2 months, after supper I have had excessive gas. I mean it started from the time after I ate until the time I went to bed. Passing gas is usually normal so I was kinda excited. On the other hand, deep down something was telling me it was an aura of something big coming. 

I was right.  

Wednesday before Thanksgiving diarrhea and cramping started. The cramping had me folded over. The diarrhea was so bad I had a thought of just getting a book, a footstool and sit on the toilet because I was going that often 

Regardless, I had a nice Thanksgiving. I didn't eat a lot because I knew the cramps would come. 

Friday after Thanksgiving, my reflux began and nausea was setting in. Nausea alarms me because when I start vomiting I'm prone to dehydration and weight loss. Of course, my GI doctor and regular doctor was off for the long weekend.😧

So I made my way to Urgent care. Evidently, no one could get to their doctor that day. There was a 2-1/2 hour wait  but actually I was in there for four. The Nurse practitioner said it sounds like I had gastroenteritis. He didn't want to give me anything for the diarrhea because of my history of constipation. I tended to agree with him. So he told me to drink 40 oz of Pedialyte per day and eat 3 crackers every hour.  (This was something new I've never been told to do in such detail.) He also gave me Zofrain for nausea. Zofrain rocks because it rids of the nausea without putting you to sleep.

The diarrhea finally stopped Friday night. But the cramps were horrendous. I suffered through the weekend. 

Monday, I finally talked to my GI doctor's office. He is in my childhood hometown 50 miles away except Thursday's when he comes to a city 10 minutes from home. After emphasizing my dilemma to the unsympathetic receptionist she said if I wanted an appointment at the office near here they could take me DECEMBER 21. I told her there would be no way I could wait until then. So she said the earliest at the other office she could put me Dec 5th. I grudgingly took the appointment. 

Tuesday, I called my GP and they took me that day.  ALLELUIA! Her diagnosis was same as urgent care. Except she gave me 3 days of Zithromycin to hopefully kill the bug and Carafate to take three times a day to coat my stomach. After taking the first dose Zithromycin I felt so much better two hours later I am able to eat a little better. I'm still queasy sometimes and my GERD is acting up but I can handle it. I get a cramp here and there. I continue to have gas.

I will keep my appointment with my GI doctor although I KNOW I will not see him. I only see him for procedures. I see the Nurse Practitioner who acts like a Robotic PDR (Physician's Desk Reference). I keep thinking I need to change and I had tried one once and that was a fiasco.

By the way, Tuesday Urgent Care called to see how I was doing. That was nice.

So there it is...reason why I disappeared again.

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time.... be thankful for your health

A Squeezed Spine

Yesterday I received an answer of why I'm having pain. It was a long exhausting day.  My appointment was at 11:30. We arrived at 11. You never know how traffic is going to be so we left a little early. They called us in at 11:30 like a herd of cattle, calling 3 people at one time. We were herded into a X-ray waiting room. I was confused as well as another person.

They started calling names and directed each of us to a different x-ray room. I asked the X-ray tech why was I getting an X-ray when I had MRI's. Her first question was what pain did I have.(WTH?) My first thought was she should know this if she read my chart. Being the nice cooperative patient I am (most of the time) I answered her. She said my doctor wanted an x-ray to see how my spine moves in different positions. I didn't really accept that answer wholeheartedly but continued to be the little good patient I am.

She took one x-ray and was called out of the room. (HUH?) A second later her head pops into the door and told me to take a seat. (WTH?) 

She finally comes in and asks me about the tests I had before. I told her and she went back out again.  (WTF??) Another 15 minutes later, she came in and apologized saying that because of my questions they went ask the doctor to confirm if he wanted the x-rays. She finished the x-rays. I was sent back to the x-ray waiting room.

We waited.  

And we waited. 

We waited some more. We were chitchatting with the other patient and her family making comments how long it was taking. When I sit or stand too long in certain positions my pain is threefold. The chairs were uncomfortable. I kept sitting and standing and walking to the door staying there to see what was going on. I saw nurses walking in and out of rooms. It was a long wait. When the doctor's nurse walked by and saw me standing against the door frame she said they were waiting for a room. 

Ironically, two minutes later she called my name. The other patient said that her appointment was before mine which was true. So the nurse told us both to follow her. Hubby said as we were walking he saw several rooms empty. I told him it was probably for another doctor's patien[pts but who knows.

We were one step closer. Again, we waited and waited. It was past 1 pm.  I told Hubby the doctor was going to come in and ask how I'm doing. My answer was going to be I'm hurting, my blood pressure is probably high from trying to be patient, my bladder is full and my tummy is empty, what does he think? It lightened our moods.

About two and a quarter hours after my appointment time the doctor FINALLY walks in. He examined my hands and shoulders etc. Then he stated my worse fear! DAMN!

I have to have surgery. I knew it in the back of my mind but had a glimmer of hope. 

A short summary is my C-5-C6 disc is herniated and its "squeezing my spinal cord to death"  His exact words. It is severe. (What is new with my old worn out body?)  I told you nothing is every minor.

He said he doesn't think PT would help especially with my spasticity. He is afraid it will get worse and more problems arises. Without surgery, it definitely will not get better. I could actually lead to paralysis or death. Of course the side effects of the surgery are the same. But the pros override the cons. He spent a a long time with us being thorough about our concerns.

We walked out at 2:15. Is that ridiculous or what?

It will be a long recovery.  It is going to be hard to be dependent on someone else for every day needs for 6-8 weeks, if nothing goes wrong. I'm blessed to have my Hubby take his vacation days to care for me and my family to help after he has to go to work.  That is now the hardest thing to think about. 

If you are at all interested the surgery is ACDF (Anterior Cervical Disectomy and Fusion and click the link to check it out. I think it is cool the way they do that.  I've always been interested in surgical procedures. I would prefer not on myself though.

Sorry this was so long!

Until next time...

732 words

It Is The Doctor's Responsibility To Give Patients Information

I understand doctors are busy. They see patients and deal with patients' prescription refills. I know they have heaps of paper work to go through to get paid for the insurances to pay for meds or pay their fee. 

However, I believe if they order a test or x-ray it is their responsibility to give the patient results that are clear and complete.  If they have their nurse call he should tell her exactly what to tell the patient in detail.

I understand most patients don't want to know or won't understand it clearly. But it is their right have a choice.

For over a year I've had neck pain that has gradually radiated to my back, arms and legs.The pain has worsen and numbness, tingling and weakness has developed.

Last year when my dad had his bad accident, my awesome physician said it just might be stress and put me on Baclofen but it wasn't for me. I let time pass taking hot showers and swallowing Ibuprofen to ease the pain.

Recently  I went back to my family physician and he decided to do a MRI of my neck. It showed degenerative disc disease which is normal for my age but after discussing further he referred me to a orthopedic doctor.

The good patient I am, I obeyed and saw the orthopedic doctor. He informed me that most pain and symptoms I've been having usually comes from the neck. However, to cover all the bases he ordered an MRI of my back (since I'm not your ordinary patient.) What is minor for "usual" patients, it is worse for me. It's been my life for 53 years.

The nurse called me a day later after my MRI and told me the orthopedist decided to send me to a orthopedic surgeon because the problem is coming from the neck. I asked her for more information but she didn't have any.

I was furious. But what can you do? If I see the orthopedic doctor again I will have a discussion with him.  

I've been fretting over what could be going on.  When I talked to the orthopedic doctor I was adamant that surgery would be my last option. I am (probably unfounded) paranoid about someone doing surgery on my neck and back.

Since the office has a patient portal I was able to see the orthopedist's diagnosis and it is scaring me. I looked up every diagnosis although I knew something about all of them. This fear would be less if I was given more information besides "it is the neck." I knew that already.. "SIGH"

Have anyone had this happen to you? Has your doctor given you meds, instructions or referrals without a full explanation?

Until next time..

Word Count: 459

You May Think Twice Grabbing a Grocery Basket....

It sucks to have an Autoimmune disorder (AI). Compound it with every other chronic medical malady you may have, it is indescribable.

You'd think I would get used to being sick or having off- the-wall crap happen to me.  However, as I age, it's like I don't want to deal with it anymore.

It's not that I am giving up or have a death wish. I just get...I can't think of the word.

Maybe....Disappointed? Discouraged? I don't know.

I am awed with some of my doctors how much my little body has endured through the years and I am still here. When I go to a new physician they look at my history and say wow!

Here is my latest medical craziness I have endured and conquered.

One day I woke up feeling drained and felt something wasn't right but couldn't pinpoint the problem.  I 'existed' for a few days with no energy.  I thought it was my sinuses/allergies/asthma flaring because the weather has been humid and rainy. My throat had been scratchy off and on as well as laryngitis. I remember feeling feverish but I seldom run fever when I am sick so I never take my temperature. I didn't have a thermometer anyway. (I do now though)

A few days later I woke up with sores in my mouth and a rash on my hands and feet.

It was difficult to eat because of the sores. I thought okay I get these mouth ulcers time to time. Although they are usually on the outside and not inside.  I swished with the mouthwash my dentist gave me then an hour later, I swished with Dr Tichenor's, the mouthwash I usually use when I have mouth ulcers. I normally dab a little of Dr Tichenor's full concentration or Gly-Oxide.

 My hands itched and some little pustule sores were appearing. I thought it looked different from my usual psoriasis I occasionally get .But I didn't really give it a second thought.   I applied some cortisone cream.

My feet were worse. I had a big area of pustule sores on the soles of my feet. They itched and hurt at the same time. The itch so bad I wanted to scratch my skin off. I could hardly walk because it hurt so bad when I put pressure on the sores.

The beginning

I finally get to my doctor a few days later. It was full blown by then. He announces that it seems to be Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease. Do not confuse it with the foot and mouth disease that attacks cattle sheep etc. It is a different virus.

I thought, "Oh great! What else is going to invade my body?"

My doctor explained it to me and BabyGirl, who had taken the ride with me.

Hand, mouth and foot disease is seen mostly in children. It is a highly contagious viral bug. There are several ways of transmission.

Personal contact such as "saliva swapping' as my Doc puts it is one way for it to be transmitted  I only 'saliva swapped" with Hubby.  Hubby had no symptoms.

Or in the air like someone coughing and sneezing.  I had not been around many people.

Or touching something a person with the virus touched.

As I started deducting where I could possibly have caught this. I was at a lost. I don't go out much and prior to the visit I had only gone to the grocery story a couple days earlier.

He proceeded to tell us  that grocery cart baskets are the worse for germs.  Kids put their mouths on them, slobbering or wipe their nose. We both said,"Ewwww." I think that was the most likely way I acquired it.

Think about it. I am sure every parent has reprimanded their kid for putting their mouth on the basket handle or where it shouldn't be. I happened to just search for more information and out of curiosity  Here is an article that may interest you about the germs on those baskets.

I already knew that bit of information but when someone says it like that, it wakes you up. It makes you want to wear gloves or have Handi-wipes with you every where you go and wipe every surface before you touch it.

He said it was rare in adults but with my medical history and low autoimmune system I was one of the rare adults.

Such joy! Not!

Yep, leave it to me to catch some off the wall virus that adults rarely get.

It usually runs its course in 7-10 days . But with my medical history and to rush it along he gave me 7 days of very high dose Prednisone which helped tremendously.

I felt like a leper as the sores grew than slowly scabbed. Most of the scabs fell off so I am normal now, I think. As 'normal' as I ever will be anyway. HA!

You don't realize how much you hug and love on your spouse until you can't do it. I'm a touchy-feely type of person and those days were the roughest not to even be able to kiss him good night. 

It was a grueling week.

However, I survived and continue to move on to other craziness God has planned for me.

I bet next time you go to a grocery store and grab a basket you will think about what I said about the germs. Bring those Handiwipes or as the article said, wash your hands.

I sometimes laugh at my BabyGirl when she brings out her Hand Sanitizer. I am getting me some too. I don't know if it will prevent but I am sure it will help!

My Past Thunderous Thursday

First I want to apologize to those who got this in your email the other day. My darn spastic finger hit publish instead of save. I needed to edit it. SO anyway....

Thursday was crazy. I had to go the doctor for a problem that developed. I had to travel to my home town I grew up in which according to Map quest is 42.3 miles or 57 minutes from where I live.  Between my current home and my home town I have to pass through the big city I lived before I moved here. You know. The one I hated the traffic and had the outrageous neighbors?

I heard thunder and the skies were black. It was a little after lunch so I decided to get a head start. As I was gathering my purse and keys the skies opened and rain came pouring.  Of course, it can't just be a shower. It was a full blown storm with visibility almost to nothing.

When I made it to the big city I hate to drive in, it was bumper to bumper. The rain was plummeting small balls of hail. The thunder roared and the lighting was striking so close I would jump. I am not afraid of the weather. It just startled me.

Visibility wasn't all that great so cars were going at a slow pace except for a few morons. You know the kind of morons that speed regardless and go nowhere ready because of the traffic jam.. I have to laugh because most of us meet up with them at the lights. Actually some drivers stopped on the side of the road.

With my nerves on edge and my hands and neck stiff from the tension, I finally made it out of that city about 45 minutes later. It should have taken me the most 15 minutes.  

I saw I might be a little late.  I was 26 miles away and had 15 minutes before my appointment. I gave the doctor's office a courtesy call and explained I was on my way but was going to be a little late with traffic and rain. She retorted, "Well it better not be too late because he is leaving soon. He only came in for a few of you." 

Excuse me? I was a little peeved. I thought I was being courteous letting them know I was going to be a little late. How many times have I had to wait over my time for my appointment? It's not like I left at the last minute. I arrived 10 minutes late. Ten minutes after I sat I was called to the examining room. I mentioned it to the doctor which he apologized for the way his worker abrasively responded. I  obtained my diagnosis, and prescriptions and went along my merry way. 

Thankfully, the storm slowed although didn't stop. I made it back to my Hated Big City and went to the  pharmacy. I've gone to them for years. I've noticed there has been a major change in staff and the last few times they've been unprofessional and laughing loudly and farting around while customers waited which in turn, makes the waiting time longer. 

It took them 20 minutes to find a cream, a box of patches and one pill that was already prepackaged and slap the label on them.  If they had not been laughing and talking about when they wanted off it probably would have taken 5 minutes as I was the only one in there and one at drive through. I understand that they had to put it through my insurance but it still shouldn't have taken that long. I wouldn't have bothered me so much if they hadn't been playing around.

After going through that I had one more stop before heading home. I had to get supper. There is a fast food chicken restaurant we  go to because they have awesome chicken, mashed potatoes and coupons! We can get 5 pieces of chicken, two sides and two biscuits for 5 bucks!  You can't beat that..

There are two locations on the same highway, about 15 minutes away from each other.

I decided to go the one that was closest to my home which is about 15 minutes bypassing the other location. The few times we had gone to this one, we've had one problem or another. Butt I figure give them another chance. Maybe things got better.

I drive up to order. I wait about 1/2 minute. Nothing is coming out of the intercom.

So I say, "Hellllooo!"

A voice announces, "We'll be with you."

I watched my digital clock in my car, a minute passes. Still nothing.

"Helloooooo" I shout getting more impatient.

Voice responses, "We'll be right with you."

I played the Twilight zone theme in my head, you know. DodoDoDoDo...and watched the clock.

Another minute pass and another....

I then say, "Anyone there????"

The voice answers, "Yes, we'll be with you!"

Another minute goes by and another...

That was 5-1/2 minutes and that is no exaggerations.

I thought: Screw this! I drove around. I saw one car at the window. The employee looked at me and I just raised my head like "WTH?" and drove off.

They have lost my business.

I backtracked and went to the location we always go to which I should have done in the first place. It was about 5 miles.

I drove up , there were 3 cars ahead of me...It went smoothly. From the time I got in line to getting my order it was 3 minutes.

Remember there was no one in front of me at the first location except for the one at the window. I waited 5 minutes and still hadn't given my order. I go to the other one, with three other cars ahead of me it took 3 minutes.

What is wrong with that picture?

I did compliment the girl, who worked the window at the second location and told them they did a good job. I've seen her every time I have gone there and sometimes when the intercom is not working right or she can't understand me she says, "Hun, please drive up!" They are always pleasant and courteous.  I will be going the extra miles to this location.

Once hubby went and got down. It was very busy and they had ran out of chicken. Since the customers had to wait longer than usual, the manager gave them a free drink for the inconvenience. 

Needless to say I wrote complaint letters to the pharmacy and the location that I didn't even get my order and a complimentary letter to the faster location. 

Share your story about your experiences you may have had similar to mine with the doctor's office, pharmacy or restaurant.

And as always I appreciate your loyalty to reading my blog whether you comment or not.

Weight Goal Reached!

I hope everyone had a Safe Halloween.

I've been battling weight loss for the past couple of years.  Last year at this time, I weighed 74.5 lbs. I struggled but I am finally over 100 lbs. I gained 14 lbs in the past 6 weeks!

When I stood on the scale and 108.5 lbs registered at my endocrinologist's office, I was stumped. I asked the nurse what was wrong. She responded nothing. I asked if she was sure that number was correct. She assured me it was. Then...

I clapped and yelled YES! I gained 14 lbs since I came last. I was so excited. I nearly bubbled over. She said that it was because I was in love. Maybe. Or maybe the brownies and cookies I've been wolfing down nearly every day. Or the meds I am taking. Doc did say the meds I am on can increase my appetite.

Doc walks in and I informed him that I reached my goal. I passed 100 lbs. In his own reserve kinda of way he grinned as he was looking at my chart. He reminded me that almost to the day a year ago, I weighed 74.5 lbs when I first saw him but he was amazed I gained 14 lbs since I saw him six weeks ago. I had a big grin ear to ear. I don't think I've seen 100 lbs since after I was pregnant.

Doc joked and said his mother calls it "Love weight". You can call it whatever you want. I am just so darn happy!

I knew I had gained weight because my clothes are actually fitting. Some almost bursting. I have a small pouch of a belly but I'd take that instead of my ribs sticking out. I just didn't realize how much I gained.

Also, I noticed my legs have been getting tired faster. I figured it was because I am gaining weight gradually but didn't realize that much!!!

Now all I have to do is maintain this weight. I won't cry if I lost 8 lbs to get to 100. As long as I stay 100 or above I am happy.

I feel so accomplished reaching my goal. I am so happy and relieved.