Since I’ve gotten sick I’ve heard my fair share of judgement and criticism. It’s never really bothered me before.
My family is divided on my illness. My mom wants me to move near her so she can help with me. My dad thinks I should stop all my medication and exercise, knowing I can pass out at any minute. I’ve completely changed my diet, lost weight, and have difficulty tolerating food. But to my dad this is just something exercise can fix…How? How would it help if I can’t even get the nutrients I need?
Words..people use them knowing the power they hold. I’ve been to Vanderbilt, I’ve been to Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins. They all agree something is causing my problems, they all agree I have abnormal test results. That I have small fiber neuropathy, autonomic dysfunction, chronic migraines, fibromyalgia, IST, NCS.. But you know what?? Those don’t define me. I’m more than my illnesses. If he became too angry, or depressed in seeing that, that’s his problem. I could only fight his darkness for so long on my own.
So I say to you. Watch your words, for they are powerful. They can bring love, sadness, and anger. Love.. happiness. Let’s focus on our words bringing those out in people around us.
Hello my dear readers!!! I’m sorry for the time in between posts!! I started having a difficult time, and just became withdrawn for a while. Never fear though, I’m back!!!
February was a difficult month. I was sick with bronchitis for what felt like forever! My son became sick, My energy levels were non existent. Just rough. Then we eased into March…and it hasn’t been much better!!! LOL But that’s like for those of us that are chronically ill, isn’t it??!! So here’s some updates!!!
On February 10th I had my disability hearing…..And the judge ruled completely favorable for me. He was very thorough and understanding. I was incredibly bad that day, having already fallen twice at the Social Security Office, and cut my leg as a result of landing on something. I had a migraine, and it just wouldn’t go away!! The pain was also at it’s peak. I was in tears by the end of my hearing, which lasted 1.5 hours. My lawyer was great at helping me stand up and sit when I needed too. I nearly fell a few times, but he caught me. So I walked out of the hearing, well more like limped and half falling, with a sense of victory!!! The judge said I would get Medicare starting June 2015. That’s a relief, because my insurance payment every month is awful!! So that’s one good thing out of February!!!
My son experienced his first Valentine’s Day at school. He was so excited!! We did the little Valentine’s Cards and I made him write out the names of his class mates. Also picked on him for liking a girl. lol He got so much!! The kid did well!! Haha
I submitted my records to Johns Hopkins for second opinions with neurology, headache center, and was denied due to the dysautonomia. How can they just decide not to see me. I keep explaining I want a second opinion on MS and Lupus. I was however able to schedule with Rheumatology and my Heart doctor!!! So there’s a positive, on June 9th, I’ll be in Baltimore…again…
March came and with that my Appointment at the Spine Center at University of Miami with a neurosurgeon. My mom decided to fly down here to go with me. So on March 10th we headed down to Miami. It was an awful drive, and my back and hips were hurting so badly from being in the car for so long. When we saw the doctor, I was very open and honest with him..which I don’t think doctors want at all!! I didn’t even get to see the neurosurgeon, I only saw a neurologist, who knew nothing of Dysautonomia. He dismissed our concerns about the spots on the Bone scan saying they’re nothing. Dismissed my Dysautonomia diagnosis, and questioned me relentlessly about things. I was in tears by the time I left. I couldn’t lift my legs up, and flex them they way he wanted, he acted as if I was just pretending to not be able to do it!! He then checked the trigger points and I was screaming from the pain!! He agreed with Fibromyalgia..Really?? Out of all my diagnoses that’s the only one you agree with??? My hip was out of alignment, which it often is these days, my back is in excruciating pain, as is all my joints..I hate walking because of the pain..What does he suggest??? Savella…and behavioral therapy and biofeedback….I nearly slapped him. I’m so tired of doctors labeling those that are chronically ill. I’m so tired of being treated as sub-human!! I’m a person, with a real disease and real pain!!!! I left not any closer to an answer as to why my hearing is so affected, or anything else.
My internist is absolutely amazing!! He was upset at how I was treated. He is educating himself on Dysautonomia so that he can help me! He referred me to his colleague, a neurologist. He said they spoke, and she feels she can help me. So I see her March 25th. I was also referred to a hematologist due to some abnormal bloodwork. My internist really wants to figure all this out!! The hematologist was just as great, however the two hour wait was not. He ordered extensive bloodwork that day, and it was done right there!!! He suspects a platelet dysfunction.. like I really need anything else??!!!! LOL He is also concerned with the hemangioma on my c4 and the Sclerotic lesion on my hip. He’s curious why these things are happening. I go back in a week for the results! Should be interesting!!
On a more positive note I registered for the Dysautonomia Conference that’s being held in Washington Dc July 11-14th!!! I’m so there!!! I’ve also decided to spend the summer with my mom at her house in Tennessee. My son is extremely happy!!!
My son…oh bless my son… He’s reading!!!!! I’m so proud of him!!!! And his birthday is coming up so I’ve been planning that.
I turned 28 yesterday..My dad took me out to dinner. Luckily I was able to eat. I got a cute new shirt , The Avengers, and a Hello Kitty bank from my son. According to my son, i’m now a cool mom for having that shirt! So I wore it to dinner. 🙂
My Avengers T-Shirt and Hello Kitty Piggy Bank!! Yes my puppy photobombs!!
It’s been a crazy few weeks, but such is life!!!
I’m really going to try not to get so withdrawn again and stop writing!!! I love to write!! Have fun and be good, till next time!!
I was scheduled for an MRI and an appointment with an Electrophysiologist at Johns Hopkins on November 25. This C-Spine MRI was important. They were checking for spinal lesions for MS. I arrived in Washington DC, Sunday night after a 2 hour delay due to a mechanical problem with my plane leaving Chicago. I was exhausted by the time I got in, as my flight was at 8am that morning. I had trouble in security at FLL, there were no female TSA officers on the floor to do a pat down, as I have a pacemaker and unable to go through metal detectors, so I waited, sitting on the floor for 20 minutes. I thought this was unacceptable.
Once I got to DC, I was so tired I fell asleep pretty much as soon as I got to my hotel. The next morning, I was surprised with a trip through the capitol on the way to Baltimore to see the monuments. 🙂 Once arriving at Johns Hopkins we were prepared for the long day ahead. First was my MRI. Then my appt with my EP. Everything went well during the MRI. So I was off to see my electrophysiologist. He was apparently on vacation, but made arrangements to come in and see me. We went over everything. I show signs of pots, and NCS, but at intermittent times. I still have Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia. We agreed to continue monitoring everything. If I worsen, then we will seek medication or if necessary another surgery. We also discussed the possibility of MS, and other possibilities that could be causing my symptoms. He wanted to meet with a Rheumatologist to get their thoughts on it. And possibly schedule a phone consult. I’m excited I have him in my corner! Before I left the hospital I was able to get a copy of my MRI disc, and request my report be emailed to me.
The next morning the MRI report was in my inbox. I read it and cried. There is Disc Dessication from C3-C7, there is also a hemangioma on my C4. Degenerative Disc Disease and a benign tumor..not what I was expecting..AT ALL!!! But you know what??!! It’s ok. I’m strong enough.I have been in horrible pain for months in regards to my neck and back. Since I got back from Johns Hopkins the day before Thanksgiving, I’ve been basically bedridden. So, today I went to see and orthopedist that specializes in neck, and spine. And again, another shock. Today I learned I have Scoliosis, and A deformity of my femur in my hip socket, also there is a lesion on my left hip bone. He ordered CT Scans immediately. He seemed upset to learn that I’ve had x-rays recently by my other doctor and nothing was said or done. I’m still trying to remain positive. It’s all I can do. I refuse to let the darkness or whatever this disease is wins. I’m scheduled for CT scans Friday, and to see him immediately afterwards. My questions is this, how was any of this missed?? Or wasn’t it??? My family is trying to be supportive, but my dad is becoming increasingly frustrated and unpleasant. SO i’ve decided to stop telling him about any of it. If the scoliosis is as severe as my ortho fears, i’ll need surgery to help me, also surgery to help fix my hip. My dad informed me tonight that he has a curved spine, and that my uncle has scoliosis. He blames it on the way I walk. There is no way walking this way for barely a year could cause damage that way my back is now. The doctor said it’d take years.
So now we wait to find out how severe the curve is, what the lesion is, and we have to check bone density as well. One thing I do know. My friends, and family have been incredibly supportive. They’ve shown me such love and support throughout this past year and I’m so grateful.
I am home from Vanderbilt. It was a long appointment, and a very difficult one for me. The travelling was one of horrible experiences to date. Leaving Ft. Lauderdale airport, I was refused a wheelchair because I refused to check my carry on bag. By the time I made it to the gate I had nearly fallen 3 times, and was completely exhausted. The lights and sounds made my headaches excruciating. Being in an upright position for so long, affected my spinal headaches, so that gave even more joy to my travelling. The travelling had worn me down, and I was at my worst by the time I got to Vanderbilt Thursday morning. I stayed positive, rather them see me at my worst, than my best! Because of the cold, I was seizing even more than normal, I was also falling a lot more than normal. I arrived at Vanderbilt at 8:30 am, I was tired, nauseous, shaky, and just feeling like crap. We headed up to the 5th floor, my appt was at 9:30, but due to not knowing the area or traffic we left our hotel a little too early! We checked in, and sat down to wait. I was called in for the autonomic testing. They were to do the Valsalva testing, breathing testing, and a tilt table, minus meds.
AFT Testing at Vanderbilt
The nurse shut off all the lights for me, due to my sensitivity to them. As the nurse finished hooking me up to the heart rate monitor, I started seizing. The pain was horrible, and my mom was trying to comfort me through it. Apparently I stopped breathing during it, so that scared her. According to my mom, who is a nurse, and the Vanderbilt nurse my heart rate went from 67 to 156 during the seizure. After that I was out of it for a few minutes. The nurse continued hooking me up to the monitors. She couldn’t get a reading on the continuous bp cuff on my finger as my hands were so cold, she had to use hand warmers and then use a baby cuff. LOL. As we started testing She was patient and comforting. We did the breathing test, where I had to breath against resistance, my goal was to hit 40, I didn’t even make it to 20. OOps. I became dizzy, it was awful. The other test was breathing in through nose and out through my mouth, I kept mixing it up and getting confused, and dizzy. This got me frustrated and near tears. After that was the tilt table. She tilted the bed up and almost immediately my nausea worsened, my chest pain worsened, and my dizziness increased. I kept saying I feel like i’m in Alice’s rabbit hole, according to my mom. I became very disoriented and confused, lethargic really. The test was finally over! After that we could eat and wait for my appointment with Dr. Robertson.
Post Tilt Table
So the moment we had been waiting for, for 6 months was finally here!! We were taken back around 2:15, pm to meet with Dr. Robertson. I immediately liked him. He listened as I explained everything, how I felt, my daily routine, my limitations. He genuinely cared. He then asked me questions, and my mom questions. I tried so hard to keep up, but I kept getting confused and repeating myself. He was very patient with me. He then started his exam of me. He paid very close attention to my hands, in particular to my fingers, checking for inflammation. He also was interested in the severity of my photosensitivity. We spoke of my symptoms and how they affect my life. What’ I’d like to change. I explained I want to walk down the aisle, I want to dance with my husband for the first time. I want to be able to have a conversation with someone face to face without getting confused. I want to me able to go into the sun without feeling pain or passing out. He looked through the records I had with me from Cleveland Clinic. He was very interested in my case. He says I definitely have an autonomic dysfunction, but that’s not the only thing going on. We asked about MS. We waited with bated breath. His response was what i’ve known in my heart. That it’s a huge possibility. He suggested I get my MRI of my spine, he feels that’s where the lesions would be considering what is affected in my body. I still don’t know if I’ve processed everything. He wanted my records, since Cleveland Clinic did not send updated copies prior to my appointment. I told him I will make him copies, and send to him. He said he really wants to go through my records page my page, and really read them and make his conclusion. I walked out numb, not knowing to feel. He wants to stay in touch, and keep him updated on what we find. He was so wonderful. By the time we left it was after 4:30pm. I made the copies Saturday, and sent them via fedex, they will arrive tomorrow. I’ve already called his office and told them.
Mom and I at Vanderbilt
My Cervical MRI is scheduled for Next Monday, as well as seeing Dr. Tandri at Johns Hopkins. Finally, i’m getting closer to answers. I’m scared of what the MRI will show, I’m scared that in my heart I know what it will show, and you know what?? It’s ok!! If it is MS, I still won’t let it beat me down!! My mom was so supportive through this trip. My dad has been amazingly supportive at home. My boyfriend worries so much and supports my fight every single day. My son loves me. Despite this illness I have a lot to be thankful for. I’ve accepted I may never know my true illness, while it will be awful, and could be dangerous, I have faith. I have the love and support of my family and friends, for that I thank you all. Those that have been on this journey with me, cried with me, laughed with me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! My journey isn’t over. I still have a ways to go, and I’ll continue this fight as long as I can.
