So Much Going On...Mini-Series..:eek:

*GASP* Remember me?

RL has kept me so busy and just when I thought I was going to be able to get back into the swing of things my back went out on me so I wasn't able to sit at my puter as it was pure agony every time I tried.

To update all of you at once that have inquired as to how things are going with Mayo Clinic let me say this first...Thank you for all your thoughts and well wishes...and let me add...Mayo Clinic ROCKS!!!!http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/Smilies/woohoo.gif

I feel better than I have in years...emotionally & physically. Everyone at the facility is kind, caring and compassionate. I don't feel like I'm on an assembly line and everything that I have addressed with the Dr's or things that they have found has been taken seriously (not brushed off or attributed to getting older like the other Dr's I have seen here) so everything has been thoroughly checked out and addressed further where needed.

I had throat surgery several weeks ago. I mentioned the issue I had with swallowing and intermittent sharp pain that I have had since before the first of the year and I was immediately scheduled for a CT scan...I also had a couple lymph nodes in my neck that were quite enlarged at the time. My previous Dr. (if you can call him that:rolleyes) kept telling me it was 'probably just my thyroid acting up' and never so much as felt of my neck. Turns out I had a large begnin cyst on my epiglottis that had to be removed...amazing how much easier eating and drinking is again. BTW...I was called about the CT scan result 2 hours after I had it done and immediately scheduled with an ENT Dr.

I have to add that the specialist I had for the surgery was not only a wonderful Dr. but has a killer sense of humor to rival Chris's. The morning of my surgery...while I lay there on the gurney waiting to be taken in the Dr. says to Chris..."for $20 I can sew her mouth shut during surgery" Chris: How 'bout this..I have $60 in my wallet if you can do something with her tongue to give her a French accent so she can say things like 'hello Bebe' that would be really great! Needless to say..even though I was drugged up a bit already it was hysterical...can't say I've ever gone into surgery laughing before...LOL

b/c of the extensive family history I was asked to participate in a breast cancer research program and I readily agreed of course. The purpose of the program is to show insurance companies the benefit of breast MRI in detecting cancer much earlier than mammograms in the hope that ins. companies will pay for it for women/men that are at higher risk. I had my annual mammogram and an ultra sound on the left side also b/c I had a lump again...I suspected a cyst, as they did but the ultra sound was done to make sure. All ok so I was scheduled for an MRI.

The MRI showed something on the right side so I had to go in for another MRI under sedation so they could do a further study that entailed something like 4000 images. I had to go back in again so they could redo the left side b/c there was movement of some kind. I received a call about 3 hours later that I needed to go in for a ultra sound on the right side so they could get a closer look. I went in and they ended up doing 4 core biopsies. I was called with the results the next day and told I have a fibroadinoma which is a benign tumor. B/C it is non-cancerous I can still participate in the study and will have another MRI next year. What I find telling is that the tumor showed up in the MRI but NOT in my annual mammogram. I do hope the study generates enough that Ins. companies WILL start paying for breast MRI's.

Lets see..what else? My thyroid seems to finally be under control..WooHoo! My cholesterol is a little elevated so I'm working on getting that down through diet changes and exercise. They've put me on medication to help with the chronic pain, part of which is neuropathy that I didn't even know I had. It's working quite well (non-narcotic and non- addictive..just one pill a day) My quality of life has greatly improved and of course I don't have the constant stress of wondering what's wrong with this or that b/c I'm getting quality medical care and have Dr's that listen to what I say. Note: Every Dr. I have seen there has spent approx. 45 minutes IN the room with me. They are so thorough and as patient files are in the computer system everything about me is right there...I'm a person with feelings, etc. at Mayo...they treat the whole of me, not just certain aspects...I'm not just another person to get in and out the door as quickly as possible.

They have also referred me to their Rochester Minn. Pain Rehabilitation Center. My Dr. says I have suffered too long (untreated) and he really feels they can help me. It's a 3 week program but I don't plan to go until the Spring at the earliest b/c the cold affects me far to much. Added to that I'm responsible for my travel expenses and lodging which will be costly so we have to work that out yet. They have some housing options which offer free shuttle service to Mayo daily, and others that are within walking distance but I'm looking at at least a couple grand for transpo, food & lodging. It's a costly venture but I think it will be more than worth it and my Dr says I defiantly have the right attitude to succeed in the program. I have a childhood friend in NY who says she can get me some vouchers to help out with the cost so I'm keeping my fingers crossed...every little bit helps out.

And just when things really start to look up I have a family crisis so will be flying to NY Tuesday. Not only is my dad sick with bronchial pneumonia but my 5 year old grandson (Lexie's little brother) broke his leg Wednesday...bad enough that the ambulance wouldn't take him so they had to call in Mercy Flight to take him helicopter to Strong Mem. Hospital. He had surgery yesterday morning and has one of those casts that covers his leg, goes across his hips/waist and down his other leg so he won't even be able to sit up. They are working on getting him a reclining wheel chair for at home. I have been in constant contact with my daughter who has stayed at the hospital...I kept hearing Corbin crying/whimpering in the background despite the morphine for pain and it was heart breaking.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/Smilies/cry.gif I did talk to him briefly last night a few minutes after they had given him more pain meds...he got the balloons and teddy bear we sent and is looking forward to my visit..it seemed to cheer him up a bit.

I'll be staying at my daughters to help out so she can get back to work and make arrangements for Corbin's care once I leave. I imagine the 4 little darlings will keep me on my toes while I'm there. As I need the exercise to help get my cholesterol down I figure the kids will make sure I get it! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/Smilies/thud.gif LOL

Well...I think that about covers the highlights of what's been going on...and as usual, I was long winded.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/Smilies/embarrassed.gif

For those of you that ordered GS cookies...I think I've answered everyones PM's If I missed anyone just holler. IIRC the cookies should come in while I'm in NY so I'll take everyones addresses with me so I can get them shipped ASAP. Just talked to my daughter again...cookies will be in today so I will be shipping them as $$ comes in. Payments not received before leaving Tuesday Chris will just deposit in our account and I'll snag it from an ATM to give to Lexie.

And that folks, is the latest chapter and I hope, more than enough for now..http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/Smilies/crossfingers.gif

 

Don't get your hopes up Abby, even the Mayo Clinic can't help Chris.

Good news on the home front. Sounds like they are taking really good care of you, it has to be such a relief after getting jerked around for so many years. I am sure Chris is happy, probably eases his mind knowing you have such great doctor's at your side.

Sorry to hear about your dad and nephew, hope they both will be ok. You can cheer them up when you get there.

Take care, and tell Chris howdy. I am very happy for you both.

Steve

 

Hi abby hope your dad and grandson start doing better. i hate it when little kids have to go through pain like that....

i was gonna order some cookies too but never got any spare money so i could not..

Take care abby i am sure if you need anyhelp people around here will jump at the chance to help you and Chris out...


Best wishes
Kristopher

 

Hey Abby! Yup, we missed ya! ((Huggles))

Well, where do I start? Great news on the Mayo clinic, and being treated like a real live person. Good to see that they are successfully addressing a lot of long-term issues there.

Sorry to hear your back got put out again. I hope you can get a speedy and complete as possible recovery there. Back pain is no fun, that I can personally vouch for.

I'll be holding you father and Grandson (as well as your good self - naturally), in my thoughts and prayers. I can relate to the Bronchial Asthma bit myself - supposedly 'mild', but nothing too mild about not breathing properly, i.m.o.

Hope you were able to get hold of the cookie cash okay, and I hope Lexie got a buzz out of getting orders from a land far, far away, LoL.

Speaking of health matters. I just received my bill for the ambulance (both of them), yesterday, from my little 'joy trips' to hospital the other week. There goes another $1,200 bucks, <sigh!>.

Hope Chris is doing well with work and all. Sounds like his sense of humour is still intact, at any rate.

Take care, all.

 

Abby...it is wonderful to hear your updates and know that you ar egetting the health care that you deserve. I understand chronic pain, and to know this is being addressed is a huge boost in itself. Just imagine how you are going to be once the therapy kicks in and the pains start subsiding!!! It is all fantastic news and must be a huge relief to you and Chris, never mind the added bonus of improved quality of life!

Sorry to hear about your grandson's broken leg. Our baby grandson had the same recently, but he has made a full recovery now. Yours will too

Cookies...haven't had a PM yet. I've lost your address and want to send you money! Also wanted to know who to make the check payable to?

Take care and keep up the excellent progress. *Hugs*

Lisa

 

Abby...who's abby!?!? J/K

So glad to see you out and about again!!

Sorry to hear the unfortunate news, but so glad you had the other good news to go along with it!! Sounds like the Mayo clinic is working great!! I'm sure that eases alot of stress you had before, which couldn't have helped your situation on top of everything else!!

I'm surprised Chris didn't ask the doc to put a couple of bionic legs on ya so you could push him out next time he gets stuck!!

Roger