Wednesday woes

This will be short because I have two problems at the moment. One is that I have one more paper to get in for the sick leave bank. Found that out today after I got home from the hospital. I'm exhausted from trying to apply for this the correct way. Every time I think I am done with this, I'm not and I'm just too tired.

Secondly, my father is the reason I was at the hospital. He was taken to an excellent cardiac care hospital for, what else, cardiac issues among other things. He's lost half of the blood in his body, was vomiting blood, has kidney problems and (duh) major cardiac issues.

He's been swallowing nitroglycerin like they're Sweet Tarts and they found two cysts in his kidneys. His brother was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer so that could be a potential issue. He's now on morphine for the pain and they are treating the blood loss with transfusions as I type this.

I spent some time today on the phone with the Red Cross as both my siblings are active duty Army in Iraq. We were trying to find out the procedure if they need to be flown home on an emergency basis.

The cardiac stuff is the most distressing as they did the heart catherization this morning. Previously, my father had a triple bypass some time ago and has been living on borrowed time, so to type. One artery is completely blocked and the other two (of the three from the operation) have all sorts of stuff in there clogging things up. Translation = not looking too good for heart repair, but you never know.

So if I'm quiet for a day or two, know that I am thinking of my blog but just can't get to it or can't get my fingers and hands to work well. Holding the cell phone and driving (not at the same time) was painful and my claws are in sore need of some ice packs now.

That's all I've got for now.

Tuesday quick bits

I made it through Tysabri #2 okay. They called the TOUCH program because of my worsening fingers and cognitive stuff. Imagine that, a facility that follows protocol! Thanks to my old friend, er not old friend, a friend I've had for a long time that shared lunch with me on such an emotional day for her. Hugs to BJM.

Not even a bruise from the IV which was put on the inside of my right hand. They are some good IV stickers over at the infusion palace. This time I held the remote and switched channels and watched bits of about 5 different cable channels. I don't have good cable at home, just the $8 a month cable that has a few extra channels thrown in for kicks and giggles. I also elected for a warm and pleasant smelling blankie to cover me up while I "relaxed".

I wanted to smack Sally Field in the face again when her once-a-month Boniva commercial came on. Gag me.

Today is my second visit to the new neurologist's office (neuro #5) to see the P.A. I am hoping for a good visit and I will be asking about my MS symptoms, a new MRI, and the supplements I mentioned the other day: quercetin and omega 3 fish oils.

I feel a weight lifted from having turned in the sick bank leave papers. It's done and the committee will say yes or no and there's not much more I can do about it. It's out of my hands and I've done all that I could for that.

My dad is having more problems but did not go back to the ER yesterday; they almost had to go but are playing it by ear for the moment. The heart catherization has been put off for the moment until this other stuff is done playing itself out. Let's just say there has been excessive bleeding, vomiting, and chest pain from a man who had surgery about 20 years ago and told he had about 10 years to live then. Plus, he secretly smokes which he knows, knows, knows is against every rule in his medical book. Eh, men!

I slept more deeply last night and feel tired from Tysabri #2 but if it works, then all of this will be worth it. Maybe there will be a nap in my future this afternoon. Time to go get dressed and ready for the appointment.

Don't forget to vote whoever you choose to vote for in today's election.

Monday tidbits

It's Monday at the crack of dawn, actually before the crack of dawn, and I have been up since shortly before four a.m. Weird night with little sleep and my stomach has been off since yesterday whenever I eat, which could be a positive thing on the scale.

My mom called again last night and my dad was supposed to go back to the emergency room. I think he is back home now as I haven't had any phone calls yet. He is scheduled for a heart catherization on Tuesday but that may need to be rescheduled because of the emergency room stuff.

I have plans done for two days at school and I'm working on Wednesday but I don't want to get too far ahead as we know what happens to the best made plans - they get rewritten because of various snafus in life and the classroom.

Today is Tysabri infusion number two and tomorrow is an appointment at my neurologist's office. I want to talk about supplements and my constant fevers and my fingers of lead. Of course, I want to talk about everything that's bothering me but I guess the big stuff is all about the lack of jazz hands.

I also have all the sick leave stuff done and it will be turned in first thing this morning as I joyfully drive my plans in around 6:15. I am hoping that I will stay clear enough to get there in one piece. I have more grades that need to go in the computer for report cards while I am dropping off plans.

I cannot even begin to tell you what a relief it is to have the sick leave stuff done. It ended up being a fifteen page packet that I made into three sets of copies: one for me, one for the head of the union, and one for the superintendent. I spent so much time calling people, typing, looking for stuff, making copies, and whatnot that it's such a weight lifted. Now we just have to hope that it will all work out and I'll be approved for the leave.

Deep breath and exhale......

November's nightmare

Okay, I thought spending hours looking for EOBs, typing up stuff, calling people, seeing doctors, and making copies was enough for the sick bank leave but it's not apparently.

I'm frustrated, my fingers feel like they are effing useless, my depression is hitting a new high/low, and I'm angry at myself.

Big sigh....................

I know this isn't a giant problem but my PCP hasn't returned my three calls from last week. Now I will try to schedule an appointment for Monday or Tuesday to see him and get the d@mn letter from him.

I wanted everything turned in on Monday so the process could start but now that's a pipe dream. My notes aren't specific enough from my Psych R.N. and my neuro's PA. I am missing the letter that most likely would be the most specific one.

BIGGER sigh...................

I called Psych R.N.'s number this morning and asked his voicemail for a more specific letter. I'm sure he'll write whatever I want just to stop me from calling him at this point. I'll get in to see the PCP and remedy that part of the issue. This just moves everything farther back in the process.

I just wanted everything done for Monday so I can turn it all in and have the d@mn process started.

(I just went for an early morning super sloooooooooow walk to just get out of here with my frustration and anxiety. My walking is way off and I'm tight in my lower back. I had to keep stopping and resting on my 20-minute mini-marathon. I only saw one pumpkin squashed, so that was good at least.)

You see, the process goes from my paperwork to the Superintendent's hands to a committee that is yet to be determined from people who work at the different schools in my district. Then the magic people decide yeah or nay for the leave.

I just feel like I'm starting to doubt myself here and I also think I am truly in a flare with the fevers, the fingers, the cognitive dysfunction, and the depression. It's just a different type of flare for me.

Wish me luck and continued strength and perseverance to see this through.
Thanks,
Weebs