It’s been a bit since I’ve given you a doctor update.
About 6 weeks ago, my right shoulder started acting up. I immediately thought, it’s doing what it did last year. UGH. I stuck it out, hoping it might be okay because in the past, if I babied it, I could get it to settle down. Well, I babied it, and nothing helped, so a couple of weeks ago I called for an appointment. They made it for a week later.
Well, things got screwed up with that appointment. My check-in time was 9:45, and I got there late. I forgot about construction, tried to get into town a different way, and ended up late. UGH. My phone said 9:51 when I got into the building. I went to the registration desk, waited, and it turned out I needed to go up a flight of stairs to the upper floor. UGH. I went up the stairs and checked in at the right reception desk. Then went to sit down.
I sat, got my phone out, and pulled up Wordle, a word game on my phone. Then the receptionist said she was sorry. I couldn’t be seen that day. I was too late. I was confused. I had already checked in. Then I said I thought I didn’t really see the doctor until 10. She said yes, but that only left 6 minutes for the nurse to take my vitals and talk with me. I would need to reschedule my appointment. Hmm.
Then I said well do you have any appointments later in the day. I was told no. The doctor is leaving at noon. Hmm. Well, the next appointment was Thursday of last week. So I took it.
I’ll be honest. I was a little crabby. I said nothing and asked for an evaluation form. The receptionist didn’t know where they were.
I ended up going to the main floor and asked the receptionist there for an evaluation form. She got one for me…was very nice and asked what happened. I told her. She told me the people on second floor are a lot more picky. I thanked her and left. I did send an email about my frustration…and got a preliminary “thank you” for the note and they would look into it.
In the meantime, Thursday was my new appointment. That went great. I got my cortisone shot without a hitch, and my shoulder feels much better.
Friday was my check up with my cancer doctor. Kalissa went with me.
We had a great day…and my appointment went smoothly. This was mostly a check to see how I am with the cancer medicine.
As proof of my feeling well, we took the stairs and not the elevator!!
I have been feeling pretty good. I do have mouth issues. No more regular toothpaste for me. I use THIS now. Regular toothpaste burns the inside of my mouth. This one doesn’t have fluoride and does great. No burning at all. If you have a sensitive mouth, this is the toothpaste for you.
Pop is hard for me to drink. The carbonation feels like spicy Pop Rocks or Alka-Seltzer in my mouth. Some days it’s okay…most not the best.
My blood pressure is something we are working on. It’s elevated, and they have increased my BP meds to control it. This is a side effect most people get from the meds, so it has to be monitored, but it is expected.
They are also watching my ALT level. It’s a bloodwork number. It’s slightly elevated, too.
All that to say…they are liking how I’m doing. I have a few bumps in the road, but nothing that isn’t normal with this medication.
The person I saw also told me that, since I’m having those side effects, they might just keep me on this dose. They said right now, no one is on the highest dosage that they originally talked about. The majority of the people are on 14mg, like I am. I’m okay with that. I am still living life comfortably.
As for the rest of me…My right foot is a problem with being numb. They are referring me back to my neurosurgeon to see if they can do anything for that or what they want me to do. It is beyond the point of numbness. It’s actually painful numbness. It’s not all the time…mostly after supper time is the worst time for it. I still have some back pain, but that comes and goes. I can typically manage it with some Aleve and Tylenol on the bad days.
I am also having some trouble with my right ear. I feel like it echoes or reverberates when I talk. The doc looked at it and suggested that I take allergy meds for a while and see if that helps. I’m game to give that a try. I previously didn’t have allergy troubles…but who knows.
I know altogether that sounds pretty miserable. I’m not, though. I’m very happy and still living a good life. Rick and the kids are awesome to me. I can still do most of the things I’ve always done…just slower and more carefully. Rick did give me the talk that he doesn’t want me to mow the lawn anymore. I’m starting to think I might listen to that one.
As you can tell…I’m still a little stubborn, and I won’t let this all get me down or give up on living life.
All things considered, that’s a pretty good update. Your attitude is wonderful.
I love Rick! I think he’s just what you needed!
Sounds like things are relatively stable which is a good update. Attitude makes a huge difference and yours is great! Keep fighting the fight each and everyday. You are so incredibly motivated.
I’d say you’re doing pretty well and that’s wonderful! You have such a positive attitude and can do spirit. You lift my spirits. Rick is probably right about mowing . Let someone else do it and save your energy for more important and enjoyably things.
Amazing post! Yes, your attitude and optimism is so very inspiring, Jo!
I’m a true believer that attitude is the most important thing for one’s health. You seem to be a great example of that. Keep it up. Thanks for sharing.
Dear JO- prayers for God’s provision. Your determination is a daily dosage of inspiration !!
There are still many more good days ahead…. Your smile is infectious
Jo, I’m delighted you have a man you can share your time with again. I had a surgery 5 weeks ago and finally caught my breath and started catching up on you and your life and up pops this name I hadn’t heard! You don’t let grass grow under your feet! And I am so impressed with you for that. You live a purposeful life and don’t let fear or other people’s perceptions/judgments dictate your path. It’s a fine example you set for others! Catching up with your life over coffee made me smile, I’m so happy for you! Laurie from Idaho.
The doctor update sounds like its going okay and things are being managed, which is wonderful news. I hope they can help with your foot issue, pain is not fun. So glad that Kalissa could go with you and you tackled the stairs.
I guess all considered, this is a good doctor’s report. Sorry for the issues with the first appointment. I often think sometimes these people need to “walk in another’s shoes” so they have compassion for others. It is good to hear that you do not need to do a stronger dose of the meds. Keep up your good spirits and continue enjoying life.
Nice update. Keep cutting the grass until you can’t. Maybe tag team with someone — a few lines, then relax, trade off….until you get fed up. It’s GREAT exercise, a beautiful final pdt — and, who doesn’t love the smell of fresh cut grass!!? And, as I said, until you hit through wall and done…..
…..Hit the wall and get done. Sorry for the typo…
Don’t cut the grass, use that for cross stitch time! if someone else will cut the grass let them. You sound good and you make great decisions for yourself. Hugs,
My ALT and AST which are liver enzymes had been elevated as a result of Fatty Liver. Fatty liver can be serious and progress in a non-alcohol cirrhosis. To lower the ALT and AST I have lost weight, given up processed meats (bacon, cold cut, sausages, etc), processed food, fast food and reduced the salt in my diet. My levels are now normal. I am not a doctor and don’t know if this will work for you it has worked for me but I need to stay with the program. The reduction of salt has also helped my blood pressure. This is just what has worked for me. I too have a bunch of different diseases including Type 2 diabetes.
You know, the doctor can keep YOU waiting for quite some time, but woe be unto you if you keep HIM waiting!!!!!! I would have been pretty mad at the treatment you got. I’m glad the later appointment went fine.
I did not know about the toothpaste for sensitive mouths! I don’t need it, but it is nice to know about it if I ever do!
After reading this doctor update all I can add is thanks be to God. All in all I’d say your side effects are minimal compared to what you were told when you started the cancer drug. That’s great. Didn’t your foot issue start after your back surgery? If someone offered to mow my lawn, I’d quickly respond with yes, yes & yes. Then I’d bake that man a delicious dessert and serve it with a tall glass of cold ice tea.
I had a similar “late for my appointment” episode because I stood in the wrong check-in line (there are two). When the receptionist told me I had missed my appointment, I explained that I was there well before my appointment time but the line was long and slow. She asked me if I had been there before and I said yes and she snapped back at me “Then you should have known where to go”. I asked her what her name was and she ignored me. I asked her a second time and she ignored me. It was all downhill from there and I was dismissed as a patient there. You handled your situation much better than I did. By the way, I was trying to see the doctor for a swollen and painful lower leg but no one ever asked….
I don’t know if it’s the right approach for Rick to try to convince you to stop mowing, it seems more like a decision you would need to come to on your own or else it might seem like an attack on your independence. Arnie tried to baby you in a similar way and where’s he?..It might be better for Rick to just start mowing it without you asking before you can get to it, eventually it will just become a matter of course that he’s doing the mowing.
It’s all good. I know it sounds the same between the people…but one was a fatherly controlling voice the other was out of love. I’ll mow the lawn when I feel like it. Rick will mow when he feels like it and Karl will jump in in between.