It is just the massaging action of the anti clot leggings, but it creeped me out. I am in the OR, and they are cleaning up. Dr L. says "I am real sorry, I had to cut you."
I'd known that if it was not done Laparascopiclly, there were problems...
"Did you find Cancer?"
"No, but there were some other things - this was a very hard surgery. I need to go talk to your family, I will see you in recovery."
" Ok. Thanks Dr. L."
I feel my feet and legs, and a huge pressure in my bladder.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
The story....
I had no intention of waiting this long to blog. But with a vengeance, my ADD is back, with very little sign of slowing.
Mentally, I am back to normal. Well, normal for me.
We arrived at the Hospital last Friday at 7, and I was taken back. Again, they did not have things needed, and were surprised that I was allergic to Penicillin! I got to talk to the anesthesiologist, and we talked about my commitment to not having Narcotics.
The nurse offered me a larger robe. Why is it that they are either for a 140-lb person, or a 500-lb person?
She then blows the vein in my right hand, forcing the IV to be in my dominant, left hand. this will lead to it's early demise later.
by 9:15 I have the not-relative of Penicillin in me, and I am wheeled back, and back, and back through the beige corridors of the surgical suite.
There are all sorts of instruments lined up, and I slide over, on to the thin operating table. The anesthesiologist puts the mask over me, and I am out.
I feel the presence. I feel hands running up my legs, this awful creeping feeling....
And, I'm awake.
Mentally, I am back to normal. Well, normal for me.
We arrived at the Hospital last Friday at 7, and I was taken back. Again, they did not have things needed, and were surprised that I was allergic to Penicillin! I got to talk to the anesthesiologist, and we talked about my commitment to not having Narcotics.
The nurse offered me a larger robe. Why is it that they are either for a 140-lb person, or a 500-lb person?
She then blows the vein in my right hand, forcing the IV to be in my dominant, left hand. this will lead to it's early demise later.
by 9:15 I have the not-relative of Penicillin in me, and I am wheeled back, and back, and back through the beige corridors of the surgical suite.
There are all sorts of instruments lined up, and I slide over, on to the thin operating table. The anesthesiologist puts the mask over me, and I am out.
I feel the presence. I feel hands running up my legs, this awful creeping feeling....
And, I'm awake.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Bloodwork and Doctors
I now have all but my last type and cross blood work.
None of the Doctors had each other's paperwork, labs, or any of the things I needed.
Dr. W. did my physical, and spent half the time on hold with Dr L. to see what he needed, because no one faxed any paperwork!
Dr. W. thought I had not seen Dr. V. my Endocrinologist since June, because labs and assessments, and Med changes were not sent. Thank goodness I had my day planner, and a faxed copy of my most recent labs.
I went to the Hospital, and other than the room being booked, no one knew I was to have surgery. We, the Business office and I, spent :40 chewing through a ton of questions.
They were upset I had gone to my Dr. for the Physical, and sent me upstairs for labs. The lab assistant tried to get me to put a sticker with a man's name on it on my urine specimen, until I finally asked, "Aren't they gonna wonder why a dude needs a Hysterectomy?"
I got a call yesterday morning, a nurse from the Hospital asking me the same questions as when I came to the Hospital, and informed me that I would need another blood test for a final type and cross right before surgery.
It's like keystone cops. I fell asleep last night with the thought - I really don't want to do this.
I don't have any confidence that they will not mess up, and I will have to pay with something physical, or pay extra money, because they have messed up the Insurance.
I will show up, and have this done, but I am not a happy camper.
I had my durable power of attorney notarized today, just in case.
None of the Doctors had each other's paperwork, labs, or any of the things I needed.
Dr. W. did my physical, and spent half the time on hold with Dr L. to see what he needed, because no one faxed any paperwork!
Dr. W. thought I had not seen Dr. V. my Endocrinologist since June, because labs and assessments, and Med changes were not sent. Thank goodness I had my day planner, and a faxed copy of my most recent labs.
I went to the Hospital, and other than the room being booked, no one knew I was to have surgery. We, the Business office and I, spent :40 chewing through a ton of questions.
They were upset I had gone to my Dr. for the Physical, and sent me upstairs for labs. The lab assistant tried to get me to put a sticker with a man's name on it on my urine specimen, until I finally asked, "Aren't they gonna wonder why a dude needs a Hysterectomy?"
I got a call yesterday morning, a nurse from the Hospital asking me the same questions as when I came to the Hospital, and informed me that I would need another blood test for a final type and cross right before surgery.
It's like keystone cops. I fell asleep last night with the thought - I really don't want to do this.
I don't have any confidence that they will not mess up, and I will have to pay with something physical, or pay extra money, because they have messed up the Insurance.
I will show up, and have this done, but I am not a happy camper.
I had my durable power of attorney notarized today, just in case.
Monday, October 26, 2009
John
Oh, what I'd give for a thousand years, but the physical interferes
Every day more, O my Creator...
Oh, what is the piont of the strongest heart
in a body that's falling apart.
A serious flaw... Evita
John died Friday, at 1:50 pm.
I have had 23 years to prepare for this day, and it is still so shocking, sad, and unspeakable. I can't even look at my facebook. It is too upsetting.
What is this doing on my health blog? I'll tell you.
I hate that I was too sick to go down and say goodbye.
I hate that I am missing his Memorial Service at this moment, again because I am too sick to travel.
I hate that I will probably miss his burial less than 3 hours away, because he is being buried Novamber 3rd, and I will still be recovering from surgery.
I hate that all my noble threats to cancel my surgery to be able to go are silenced by my discomforting throbbing of the cysts.
Every day more, O my Creator...
Oh, what is the piont of the strongest heart
in a body that's falling apart.
A serious flaw... Evita
John died Friday, at 1:50 pm.
I have had 23 years to prepare for this day, and it is still so shocking, sad, and unspeakable. I can't even look at my facebook. It is too upsetting.
What is this doing on my health blog? I'll tell you.
I hate that I was too sick to go down and say goodbye.
I hate that I am missing his Memorial Service at this moment, again because I am too sick to travel.
I hate that I will probably miss his burial less than 3 hours away, because he is being buried Novamber 3rd, and I will still be recovering from surgery.
I hate that all my noble threats to cancel my surgery to be able to go are silenced by my discomforting throbbing of the cysts.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Support groups?
There are alot of support groups for hysterectomy out on the web. I joined one, and found it is sponsored by the surgical company that makes the equipment to take girl parts out......hmmmm.
I like the support, and general (non-medical) advice, from the ladies on there, I am just hesitant to trust that this comes from a company that makes money off of selling the equipment to do this. (It does have a cooling pillow that I may splurge on, though....it looks really comfy.)
So I went looking for another, less......shall we say - sponsored?....site.
I must not have been paying attention. Or, I got lucky with the last site I was on. I had no idea that there existed such angry, feminist "how dare you assault our bodies" support groups! Whoa!
One was complete with an art gallery. I love art. I clicked it, prepared to be encouraged, inspired.
I don't know what I was expecting - Georgia O'Keefe-esque representations of the female........or, perhaps feminine affirming art that, despite a lack of fertility, embraces woman as more than her ability to make life, but her ability to nurture and respect a healthy life without those parts.
Nope! Instead a horror show!
Doctors portrayed as the big bad wolf, and the patient as a naive little red riding hood, sans uterus, bloody and ravaged; a nightmare fairy tale gone horribly wrong!
It left me....puzzled, and a bit...amused?
I have feelings about having all of my fertile bits taken out. None of these feelings have anything to do with an ounce of anger at my Doctor - it is not his fault, he is trying to save me.
In Dr. L's office, he has this glory wall of little faces - babies that he has delivered. Birth announcements, little hand and feet prints, a future generation brought safely into this world, as messed up as it is, to give us a hopeful future.
I honestly feel like this is his preferred use of female organs, and these cysts, fibroids and nodes are an aberration. They must be removed for health, safety, and comfort, but this is not what he would have wanted for anyone.
I should not have smiled. The artist is young, and if she wants to be angry at the Doctor, so be it. Her blurb does mention a recent degree from a respected University, but also that she is perfectly healthy, and not (!) a recipient of any surgery whatsoever!
I like the support, and general (non-medical) advice, from the ladies on there, I am just hesitant to trust that this comes from a company that makes money off of selling the equipment to do this. (It does have a cooling pillow that I may splurge on, though....it looks really comfy.)
So I went looking for another, less......shall we say - sponsored?....site.
I must not have been paying attention. Or, I got lucky with the last site I was on. I had no idea that there existed such angry, feminist "how dare you assault our bodies" support groups! Whoa!
One was complete with an art gallery. I love art. I clicked it, prepared to be encouraged, inspired.
I don't know what I was expecting - Georgia O'Keefe-esque representations of the female........or, perhaps feminine affirming art that, despite a lack of fertility, embraces woman as more than her ability to make life, but her ability to nurture and respect a healthy life without those parts.
Nope! Instead a horror show!
Doctors portrayed as the big bad wolf, and the patient as a naive little red riding hood, sans uterus, bloody and ravaged; a nightmare fairy tale gone horribly wrong!
It left me....puzzled, and a bit...amused?
I have feelings about having all of my fertile bits taken out. None of these feelings have anything to do with an ounce of anger at my Doctor - it is not his fault, he is trying to save me.
In Dr. L's office, he has this glory wall of little faces - babies that he has delivered. Birth announcements, little hand and feet prints, a future generation brought safely into this world, as messed up as it is, to give us a hopeful future.
I honestly feel like this is his preferred use of female organs, and these cysts, fibroids and nodes are an aberration. They must be removed for health, safety, and comfort, but this is not what he would have wanted for anyone.
I should not have smiled. The artist is young, and if she wants to be angry at the Doctor, so be it. Her blurb does mention a recent degree from a respected University, but also that she is perfectly healthy, and not (!) a recipient of any surgery whatsoever!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Sigh....
I stayed home for most of yesterday. I have been so tired, and my stomach acted up so much that I missed a Church planning meeting, and Stake Conference. I don't know what is going on, but I am also having spotting, like I am trying to have a period! Makes me wonder if something ruptured - again? Another septated part of one of the larger cysts maybe?
I went to a Pampered hef party on Saturday, and fell asleep for most of it.
It makes me look forward to surgery even more.
I stand, and my bladder fills so quickly that I have to run to the restroom. I can only guess that when I sit the cysts are pressing on my Urethrea. I try to remember to stand, frequently, I don't need my kidneys backing up on top of everything else.
People keep telling me that it is for the best, and I need not be around all the people, especially during cold and flu season.
I went to a Pampered hef party on Saturday, and fell asleep for most of it.
It makes me look forward to surgery even more.
I stand, and my bladder fills so quickly that I have to run to the restroom. I can only guess that when I sit the cysts are pressing on my Urethrea. I try to remember to stand, frequently, I don't need my kidneys backing up on top of everything else.
People keep telling me that it is for the best, and I need not be around all the people, especially during cold and flu season.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Adventures in Prescriptions!
Yesterday morning, I called in one of my diabetes medications, and the last of the birth control pills that keep the fibroids from giving me the 4 periods in 6 weeks that sent me off to the Doctor in the first place. I arranged to pick them up at 6pm, and went about my day.
On the way home from work, I stopped by the drugstore. I am fortunate to have a 24-hour pharmacy close to me. I bought a few things, went to the back, got 2 prescriptions, everything got put in a sack, and I was on my way.
I get home to find that NEITHER prescription was what I ordered, they were other, less useful medications (blood pressure and cholesterol, neither of which are actual problems, the doctor says they 'protect my kidneys') and one of the new prescriptions had only been filled last week, and, as a result, I'd paid out-of-pocket for it!
I brought them back in the morning, and the pharmacist was at a loss as to why these had been sitting in the pick-up bin. Nevertheless, he had filled what I'd called in yesterday morning, so it was ready.
As for the other pills, he will re-bill the insurance as soon as the refill date goes current and refund me the difference. So, in the end it all works out, but I just am at a loss as to what to think of the errors, and frustrated with an Insurance company that can't just pay for the freaking pills, which I need every month!
This is not even what Congress is debating - they are wanting (or not) to get most or all citizens on the insurance machine in the first place! They are not even trying to fix all the hundreds of ways that insurance itself is a bureaucratic monolith of red tape, networks and endless prescription tiers.
Yet I know that when I worked in Utah, it was being debated in the Legislature whether birth control pills should even be covered under insurance, since birth control is a 'choice'......this, while Viagra was clearly covered, because it treated a legitimate medical condition.....As if the fibroids that will cost me my Uterus at the end of the month give me a choice whether to take the pill, or not.
I am very happy on days like this to trade he breathtaking sunsets, and amazing Vietnamese food of Utah for the coverage of a medicine that prevents me from becoming anemic.
On the way home from work, I stopped by the drugstore. I am fortunate to have a 24-hour pharmacy close to me. I bought a few things, went to the back, got 2 prescriptions, everything got put in a sack, and I was on my way.
I get home to find that NEITHER prescription was what I ordered, they were other, less useful medications (blood pressure and cholesterol, neither of which are actual problems, the doctor says they 'protect my kidneys') and one of the new prescriptions had only been filled last week, and, as a result, I'd paid out-of-pocket for it!
I brought them back in the morning, and the pharmacist was at a loss as to why these had been sitting in the pick-up bin. Nevertheless, he had filled what I'd called in yesterday morning, so it was ready.
As for the other pills, he will re-bill the insurance as soon as the refill date goes current and refund me the difference. So, in the end it all works out, but I just am at a loss as to what to think of the errors, and frustrated with an Insurance company that can't just pay for the freaking pills, which I need every month!
This is not even what Congress is debating - they are wanting (or not) to get most or all citizens on the insurance machine in the first place! They are not even trying to fix all the hundreds of ways that insurance itself is a bureaucratic monolith of red tape, networks and endless prescription tiers.
Yet I know that when I worked in Utah, it was being debated in the Legislature whether birth control pills should even be covered under insurance, since birth control is a 'choice'......this, while Viagra was clearly covered, because it treated a legitimate medical condition.....As if the fibroids that will cost me my Uterus at the end of the month give me a choice whether to take the pill, or not.
I am very happy on days like this to trade he breathtaking sunsets, and amazing Vietnamese food of Utah for the coverage of a medicine that prevents me from becoming anemic.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Foot Doc
Saw Dr. A, my foot Doctor, yesterday. He has officially saved my toe (left middle), and, unless I do something to it, I only have to see him 4x a year now!
We talked about my upcoming Surgery. If I'm in for more than 24 hours, I am to call him, and he will stop by to say hi. Nice!
He also said I should try to take charge of my own pills for my Diabetes when I am in, and that patient sugars tended to be higher when in the Hospital. He also said that they might try to put me on Insulin when I am in, and that I should let them if they want to. Also, that I should monitor my own sugars, even if the Nurses do as well, because my numbers with my machine will give me a better overall picture.
Excellent advice!
We talked about my upcoming Surgery. If I'm in for more than 24 hours, I am to call him, and he will stop by to say hi. Nice!
He also said I should try to take charge of my own pills for my Diabetes when I am in, and that patient sugars tended to be higher when in the Hospital. He also said that they might try to put me on Insulin when I am in, and that I should let them if they want to. Also, that I should monitor my own sugars, even if the Nurses do as well, because my numbers with my machine will give me a better overall picture.
Excellent advice!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bad Attitude
I am pretty sure it will pass, but yesterday I found myself with this overwhelming desire to minimize contact with people before, during, and after my surgery. I had this elaborate dream, where my Sister simply dropped me off at the Hospital, and picked me up a day later, and I went home to a full fridge to rest for a few days.
I know this is not going to happen, and it is stupid and selfish of me to think it. Half of service or helping is that there is someone to be helped. And, I may need more help than I think. This is just arrogance on my part, and is embarrassing to even write about. But the writing helps me work out what I am really feeling, and helps push past my over sized ego.
All of the unknowns are working on me. I have started to research HRT, and have scared myself with garish photos of cysts, and the blogs and faces of women young and old who have died of Ovarian Cancer. Even official websites (like NIH and the Mayo clinic) disagree on what HRT will, and will not do to me.....
I know this is not going to happen, and it is stupid and selfish of me to think it. Half of service or helping is that there is someone to be helped. And, I may need more help than I think. This is just arrogance on my part, and is embarrassing to even write about. But the writing helps me work out what I am really feeling, and helps push past my over sized ego.
All of the unknowns are working on me. I have started to research HRT, and have scared myself with garish photos of cysts, and the blogs and faces of women young and old who have died of Ovarian Cancer. Even official websites (like NIH and the Mayo clinic) disagree on what HRT will, and will not do to me.....
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wacky side-effects
When I was first put on one of my drugs, one of my side effects was very vivid dreams. They went away for a while, now they are back.
Are they psychosomatic? Are they really just acetylcholine neurons firing into the fore brain? Is it my brain working stuff out?
Or, is it what I am thinking....my blood sugars are tanking in my sleep because the meds are too strong, and my brain freaks out?????
Are they psychosomatic? Are they really just acetylcholine neurons firing into the fore brain? Is it my brain working stuff out?
Or, is it what I am thinking....my blood sugars are tanking in my sleep because the meds are too strong, and my brain freaks out?????
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Time and Date
October 30th, 9 am. Dr. L is going to try to do this laparascopically. If so, I am off for 2 weeks, and then back to work. I really like the sound of that.
I have picked up my FMLA paperwork from his office. It is interesting that the Doctor's office charges $15 just to fill out the paperwork - the same price it would cost me for some actual face time with a real Doctor!
Everything is sore, ad I just don't feel well at all.
To top it off, I hit a Deer on Sunday. So sad, and it just keeps replaying in my head! Not cool!
I have picked up my FMLA paperwork from his office. It is interesting that the Doctor's office charges $15 just to fill out the paperwork - the same price it would cost me for some actual face time with a real Doctor!
Everything is sore, ad I just don't feel well at all.
To top it off, I hit a Deer on Sunday. So sad, and it just keeps replaying in my head! Not cool!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
You have GOT to be kidding.....
Before moving to the present, I must document the phone call I received from Dr W., my General Practitioner. Being unable to reach her by email, on Tuesday I sent her a fax with my new Diabetes dosing, and the general plan for my gynecological abdication. She called me Thursday morning, and wants to know if I am "sure" about the hysterectomy, and don't I want to have CHILDREN????????
What? Oh good heck. No, my eggs expired when I turned 40. (I am now 43) I explained that I have no one with whom to have a child, and even if we kept one of the ovaries (presumably the left with the smaller, "only" 6 AND 8 cm cysts, as opposed to the 9 and the 11 cm cysts on the right, both of which are uncomfortable), they are taking my UTERUS! How does she expect me to have a CHILD without a UTERUS!
The need to reproduce is primal, I understand. Why has this not been more than a passing thought since I was 25, and even then it was forced, and artificial. Selfishness? The thought that I would mess up and be a bad parent? Matthew 9:25 talks about eunuchs. Am I one of those? I guess I will be, whether I want to be, or not!.......
What? Oh good heck. No, my eggs expired when I turned 40. (I am now 43) I explained that I have no one with whom to have a child, and even if we kept one of the ovaries (presumably the left with the smaller, "only" 6 AND 8 cm cysts, as opposed to the 9 and the 11 cm cysts on the right, both of which are uncomfortable), they are taking my UTERUS! How does she expect me to have a CHILD without a UTERUS!
The need to reproduce is primal, I understand. Why has this not been more than a passing thought since I was 25, and even then it was forced, and artificial. Selfishness? The thought that I would mess up and be a bad parent? Matthew 9:25 talks about eunuchs. Am I one of those? I guess I will be, whether I want to be, or not!.......
Thursday, September 17, 2009
3 for 3
Well, now....wasn't that fun? LOL Seriously, it was fine. We decided to take the uterus (there are a bunch of fibroids, and it does not look right on the sonogram), and both ovaries. Whether or not we take cervix will depend upon the results of the pap.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Here we go...
Dr. V cut my meds back a little! Yay! I take one less pill per day. I also went, and had my pelvic ultrasound follow-up, and my blood work done.
I got the copies of the films. It is clear that the cysts are larger, not smaller. Somehow, I knew that...maybe it was that they wake me when I roll over at night. Or that I can feel them now.
Dr. L called Monday. He wants to see me right away. I need to bring my latest labs, and the results of my last pap.....I say, "You mean the one I had done in 1998 in Utah?"
...Yeah. I am having a pap tomorrow, as well as talking about surgery. Dr. L. was NOT pleased...
I got the copies of the films. It is clear that the cysts are larger, not smaller. Somehow, I knew that...maybe it was that they wake me when I roll over at night. Or that I can feel them now.
Dr. L called Monday. He wants to see me right away. I need to bring my latest labs, and the results of my last pap.....I say, "You mean the one I had done in 1998 in Utah?"
...Yeah. I am having a pap tomorrow, as well as talking about surgery. Dr. L. was NOT pleased...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Labor Day irony......
I spent Labor Day weekend mostly asleep. Friday night I was in bed by 10. Sunday afternoon, I lay down at 1:30 to take a short nap, and cyst pain woke me at 8:45 pm! Monday, I also went to bed early, stayed inside, and did not exert myself. I am soooo tired; I have fantasies of falling asleep under my desk at work. Despite timed doses of caffeine, I am constantly sleepy. Thursday is my next Doctor's appointment. I hope my Endocrinologist has some answers for me....
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The 'white pill week'.......
I am on the off week of the birth control. It feels like I have appendicitis. I have trouble walking, even straightening up. I slept 10 hours yesterday, I can't wait to go to bed tonight...
Friday, August 7, 2009
BC and Insurance Rant....
So, here I am.Doctor L. is going to try to shrink the cysts with low-dose birth control pills. My research on this approach would indicate mixed studies on this, but I was more than willing to take a 6-week break from his driving will to remove 3 internal organs quickly. I am at the end of the 2nd week, and do not feel different. I set an alarm, and take them every morning. The ones early in the month cause nausea, but not much more........
May I go on a diabetes rant for a moment? Not the disease, it is what it is. I am taking responsibility, and taking care of myself. It is the glucometer companies. My first drugstore brand glucometer was off by allot. Up to 80 points.
My Doctor gave me a glucometer that is more like the ones on TV. Because the prescription she wrote was not for my exact model (though she did get the brand correct) the pharmacy refused to charge my insurance, and wanted $1 per test strip! I wound up calling my Insurance company for 45 minutes (well, a helpful fellow in Delhi, actually) to get the exact verbiage that I then called in to the Doctor's assistant, so that the Doc could write me a new prescription for test strips. What would I do without Health Insurance? Do people really pay $1 per strip? I buy my strips in 2 vials of 50, so 100 strips per month. Some strips don't work. Some strips are used to calibrate the machine. If I was paying $1 per, and it did not work, I'd be furious. With my $10 co-pay, it is $.10 a piece......a 90% markup for non-insurance carriers on something that someone needs to decide if they need medicine so they won't die, go blind, or trash their kidneys? Are you KIDDING me?
Then, there is the records-keeping. I was impressed that my machine kept 500 blood glucose records in its memory. There is great advertisement on the glucometer's website about down loadable FREE software - complete with "helpful tips". Whatever. Free means it will contain a bunch of advertising, spyware, cookies, and all of that. No thanks. But if you did want to use it……the puzzle became how to get the numbers out of the machine, and into the computer software. There needs to be a cable......The Doctors office said to ask the pharmacy. The Pharmacy said they sell medicine, not cable. Shouldn't something that is essential to the function and use of the machine come with it? Apparently not.Found the cable, on one of 2 online pharmacies suggested by the Laboratory website.....Hmmmm, payola? The cable is $35, NOT covered under Insurance……
Forget it. I will write them down, and fill out my Endocrinologist’s forms that way.
May I go on a diabetes rant for a moment? Not the disease, it is what it is. I am taking responsibility, and taking care of myself. It is the glucometer companies. My first drugstore brand glucometer was off by allot. Up to 80 points.
My Doctor gave me a glucometer that is more like the ones on TV. Because the prescription she wrote was not for my exact model (though she did get the brand correct) the pharmacy refused to charge my insurance, and wanted $1 per test strip! I wound up calling my Insurance company for 45 minutes (well, a helpful fellow in Delhi, actually) to get the exact verbiage that I then called in to the Doctor's assistant, so that the Doc could write me a new prescription for test strips. What would I do without Health Insurance? Do people really pay $1 per strip? I buy my strips in 2 vials of 50, so 100 strips per month. Some strips don't work. Some strips are used to calibrate the machine. If I was paying $1 per, and it did not work, I'd be furious. With my $10 co-pay, it is $.10 a piece......a 90% markup for non-insurance carriers on something that someone needs to decide if they need medicine so they won't die, go blind, or trash their kidneys? Are you KIDDING me?
Then, there is the records-keeping. I was impressed that my machine kept 500 blood glucose records in its memory. There is great advertisement on the glucometer's website about down loadable FREE software - complete with "helpful tips". Whatever. Free means it will contain a bunch of advertising, spyware, cookies, and all of that. No thanks. But if you did want to use it……the puzzle became how to get the numbers out of the machine, and into the computer software. There needs to be a cable......The Doctors office said to ask the pharmacy. The Pharmacy said they sell medicine, not cable. Shouldn't something that is essential to the function and use of the machine come with it? Apparently not.Found the cable, on one of 2 online pharmacies suggested by the Laboratory website.....Hmmmm, payola? The cable is $35, NOT covered under Insurance……
Forget it. I will write them down, and fill out my Endocrinologist’s forms that way.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The good and the bad
Over the next 6 weeks, I dealt with stomach issues related to the poison I had to take for the tapeworms, and with my new regimen of pills to get my blood sugars under control. It was as if I had swallowed glass.
I learned to eat breakfast, I switched to diet soda. I got used to feeling lousy all of the time. I tried not to complain, but I know I did. I tried not to be negative, I know I was. I had a friend ill with cancer, what was I complaining about? I hated the drama, I hated taking time off work.
On the plus side, some things disappeared. My almost chronic bladder infections stopped. My asthma slowed. I did not get sick at every sneeze. I added flax seed oil to my diet. I upped my fiber. I slept allot.
I learned to eat breakfast, I switched to diet soda. I got used to feeling lousy all of the time. I tried not to complain, but I know I did. I tried not to be negative, I know I was. I had a friend ill with cancer, what was I complaining about? I hated the drama, I hated taking time off work.
On the plus side, some things disappeared. My almost chronic bladder infections stopped. My asthma slowed. I did not get sick at every sneeze. I added flax seed oil to my diet. I upped my fiber. I slept allot.
My world changes.
The phone rings, and it is Dr. W. She asks me if I am driving, where I am and if I am in a 'safe place'. What kind of question is that? You know it is not going to be a good phone call when the Doc starts off with this.
I "have some issues". My Liver is not working correctly, normal triglycerides are in the 100 range, mine are 1,200. My blood sugars are up, in fact,, you are Diabetic. But we need to get your liver working again, first. This is really dangerous.
She wants me to go back to the GI Doc, and finish getting the tapeworms out. This is 1st priority.
She tells me to (if I can) cut meat, and alcohol out of my diet. And, if I am smoking, I need to be on a program to quit. Wonderful. Have not had beef, pork, or chicken since I was 11. As an active Mormon, I do not drink or smoke.
When the phrase "you have diabetes" is not the worst part of a Doctor phone call, You know it was a pretty crappy phone call.
I "have some issues". My Liver is not working correctly, normal triglycerides are in the 100 range, mine are 1,200. My blood sugars are up, in fact,, you are Diabetic. But we need to get your liver working again, first. This is really dangerous.
She wants me to go back to the GI Doc, and finish getting the tapeworms out. This is 1st priority.
She tells me to (if I can) cut meat, and alcohol out of my diet. And, if I am smoking, I need to be on a program to quit. Wonderful. Have not had beef, pork, or chicken since I was 11. As an active Mormon, I do not drink or smoke.
When the phrase "you have diabetes" is not the worst part of a Doctor phone call, You know it was a pretty crappy phone call.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
the beginning.....
I suppose I should go back, and say how this started. My story, like most of my stories, is so meandering and strange, it is hard to believe.
September 21, 2008. At my desk, at work. Go to the bathroom, and pass a fish tapeworm! Make an appointment, go to the Doctor. She draws blood, and gives me these little vials to take home to give her a stool sample.
I go home, and pass another freaking tapeworm! I bring it in, and get a referral to a Gastroenterologist.
He gives me a dose of this poison, and I go home and take it. They dose it to make sure to kill the worms, but not to kill you.....it just feels like it.
I am recovering the next day when the phone rings...more later.
September 21, 2008. At my desk, at work. Go to the bathroom, and pass a fish tapeworm! Make an appointment, go to the Doctor. She draws blood, and gives me these little vials to take home to give her a stool sample.
I go home, and pass another freaking tapeworm! I bring it in, and get a referral to a Gastroenterologist.
He gives me a dose of this poison, and I go home and take it. They dose it to make sure to kill the worms, but not to kill you.....it just feels like it.
I am recovering the next day when the phone rings...more later.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
And, it begins
I need this.
I keep telling myself I need this. I need to journal. I need to write, to mentally purge all of this emotional nonsense. This past year has been a train wreck of health issues, culminating in me this morning, flat on my back, being told that I am about to lose my ovaries, and possibly my uterus. I need to write. I need....to think.
I keep telling myself I need this. I need to journal. I need to write, to mentally purge all of this emotional nonsense. This past year has been a train wreck of health issues, culminating in me this morning, flat on my back, being told that I am about to lose my ovaries, and possibly my uterus. I need to write. I need....to think.
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