9-5-08 Dr. notes etc.

9-5-08 Dr.s notes: I had an appointment w/ Dennis Mitchell,Dr. Cope's P.A.) yesterday to discuss bladder and kidney issues. Bottom line,1. bladder does seem to empty completely 2. office test showed blood in urine but no infection. 3. discussed overcoming doorknob incontinence so med.s would not be needed 4. scheduled C.T. scan of abdomen and pelvic area. No other appointment was scheduled.
Met with Dr. Becker in P.M.
she was pleased with effect of Botox and my improved gait. I informed her of planned kidney C.T. scan. We discussed a change to 2 shots weekly of Avonex. She agreed to write my insurance Co. with a special need request. More on that when information is relayed to me. My next appointment with her is in 6 months; March 5th '09.
Today I had my C.T.scan At 9:00 a.m. The machine looked similar to an M.R.I. machine only not as long. Instead of going through a clanging tunnel, there was a nearly silent metal donnut that your body moved through. It is only nearly silent because at several junctures the machine tells you to take a breath and hold it. Then breath. I was given an I.V. with Iodine in it for contrast.The tech though not specific he was correct when telling me I would feel warm in my pelvic area when the iodine was in my system; Considering its exact location, the pelvic area is more polite than crotch. Certainly not like any other hot flash I have had before.;-) The entire event was less than 10 min. I was getting ready to leave and I remembered I still needed to do a blood draw for Dr. Becker's Standing order tests so I returned for a second poke. Some few minutes later I was out and looking for my purse. Luckily someone had turned it into the front desk after finding it in the bathroom.I am drinking water as directed to flush the Iodine out. I better up the amount. My right kidney is aching. I am sure it is just working hard to 'clear' things up again. Check back for further adventures with Kim to see if the kidney mystery is solved there by defeating her ongoing spastisity. See if the Powerful but less informed Insurance Dr.s authorize 2 weekly injections of Avonex. Watch while she figures out how to budget out $800.00 from her monthly bills to get the first 2 injection order paid for.

9-1-08 quick post allergy?

-9-1-08 I had a typical weak, droopy, no energy Sunday. Today is starting out to be the same. But it is beginning even more slowly because I made the mistake of watching a movie with Kent until late last night. Today there is a new and interesting non-M.S. development. When I first got up about 9:00 I took the antibiotic as Rx, 2/500 mg Amoxicillion.The dentist prescribed it for me when I got my tooth fixed last week. 2 caps. A.M., 2 again P.M. until gone (10 days). About 10:00 or so I woke up again because my chest itched. I didn't think much of it at first until it continued. I finally checked it out in the mirror. An area the size of my open hand was all red and blotchy. It is randomly spread from between and on my left breast, up my neck around to my ear. I'm going to try and ignore it. It is not very intense. My guess is an allergic reaction to the Rx. I just don't know if an allergy can develop this way. I have my p.m. dose still to take, and two more days to finish it. Because it is not good to stop I will finish this course while I find out how to proceed.

8-29 update

8-29 update Of course I started to late to do this. It will have to be completed in the a.m. so the posting times/date and actual time/date won't match. Know I tried and will keep trying. See you in the a.m. I have hasd a few painful bladder twinges on the left side. I better go. Kim

8-28-08 overdue entry & catch up

8-28-08 My intentions to write at least once each day keep getting sidelined by life. I don't even recall what happened Tues. 26th. There is a vague smokey thought of speaking to the rep. over my LTD (Long Term Disability) case.Her name is Shawn Snow. She asked a lot of questions. Her #1 concern was any change in my condition Up or Down, had I been back to school, and what activities was I involved with now. She let me know they were waiting on papers from Dr. Becker which I informed her the Dr had sent them that day. She also said If everything is in place the review would be completed and a decision made by Oct. 15th. I will be notified. Man, I'm glad I blogged this. I am surprised by what I am remembering. I need to get online and start the application process for S.S.I.
Oh Wow! how could I forget? I worked at the Church cannery from 12:30 until 3:50 to can peaches. I know the exact times because we need to sign in and out. I was 3o min. late getting there and left 10 min. early because I was too pooped to stay even 10 more minutes. I am pooped now so the details will need to be pressed into service when my batteries are closer to full charge. things to remember; Linda, celery, shot night. On my way home I remembered I still had to prep. celery sticks for the ward party that night I stopped by Lin's to get the celery feeling droopier with each step. As I drove I formulated my plan. Call Linda, (my daring neighbor and good friend) beg for celery help. Pass off the celery, shower, call Marg to set up tonight's shot and sleep until the dinner. OH Ya my shot. Tues. is shot night.I get my Avonex Disease Modifying Therapy.; D.M.T.s slow or lessen the impact of M.S.. If you read many former blogs you know a lack of it is like no food. So, I get home and call Linda calmly begging for celery assistance. Sweet Linda says "Sure but the dinner is tomorrow". I was so tired and relieved I thought I might cry. Quickly I called Marg. While on the phone the door bell rang. Great ! What luck!!. Instantly my heart repented when I saw sweet little Kevin, Linda's son, holding out a fruit smoothie with whipped cream on top! It was great! Just like Linda cool, refeshing, with a few unexpected sweet surprizes inside. Isn't she something?!! I drank it and napped on the couch until Marg came. I felt so much better. I really like food;-) 30 or so min. later Marg came. One more angel in my life. she gave me my shot and a hug and sent me to bed. No protests here! I stripped down to the basics to stay cool and flopped on the bed. No umph to blog that night.
On Wed. the 27th I baby sat Grace from 10:00 until 4:00. It was a very fun but tiring day.
Later in the evening was the Ward party. I brought celery
28th So I remember to

8-25-08 Dr. Becker called w/the bone density report. I currently have ostiopinia. The beginning stages of bone thinning. I am to see Dr. Rignell concerning that, H.R.T., and med. management of my Cymbalta.

My med. review and release for driving was sent in.
additional update, my leg is doing great still. I'm doing super stretches tonight to see if it will maintain its flexibility even longer.
My Avonex med.s I received on the 22nd have not been charged to my Visa Debt/charge card yet. I hope they get a system so I don't end up with 2 payments at once.
Sean Snow, my Rep. with Prudential Long term disability, called and arranged for an 8:00 a.m. check up call tomorrow.
Physically I am feeling well today. I had to pace myself, and rest as needed. If I do that, all is well. My arms are still a bit heavy. I just try not to add to the load needlessly. Any concentrated thinking, reading, etc. gets me tired in a big hurry.
I still need to make an appointment with Dr. Cope so we can check out my water filter/drainage system and holding tank. My left end of my bladder is uncomfortable after I empty it in the a.m. and my bladder aches for a while afterward. I have had a couple bladder floods when I wasn't fast enough to reach the relief station. There's no stopping it once the first drop escapes. It is a major break out. Every drop for herself! Last one to the exit has to wait for the next breakout! But don't worry it could be any minute now. When the green light goes on I have 20 to 90 seconds depending. If I am more than an ounce or 2 full the time can be shorter. The bath room is the first place I locate and usually visit as a precaution where ever I go. Sneezes; ? Bad news. I hope you aren't joking. Laughing is also a humbling experience. I am calling Dr. Cope 1st thing after my 8 a.m. call. Key ya later Gotta Go!
P.S. I got a tiny cavity filled today. More news on my day with G.G is on the Walkerology blog.

8-25-08 M.S. update

8-28-08 mostly good day

If it were not Sunday I would be feeling real good about the M.S.Let me explain; Remember how bizarrely I felt last Tues. before I got my shot .? Well, each day closer to Tuesday I feel more and more strange as more Avonex is used up. Today is feeling very Tuesday-ish.When I woke up it felt as if my veins had liquid lead running through them. My Head is pretty clear today my arms are just heavy. If it were not for that feeling I might think some parts were healed. The Botox is working great everywhere I had a shot. My neighbor even noticed I was walking better yesterday. After I get calf shots I think I'll try out for some dancing show.What cha think? seriously. I am going to see how many Botox visits the Insurance will let me have.
My bone density was checked last week or so. Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment. I thought at first I had a couple of cracked teeth (the type they crown) Now I think they may just be sensitive. I hope it is the latter. fluoride rinse is much less expensive. Think of me on my sludgy slide( see 8-22) down to Tuesday night. I know why druggies call getting their stuff a "fix." For a little while it does feel like it has fixed you.