This last week has been one of those borderline crazy ones. Friday was probably the craziest as Mom had to be in Terre Haute at 9:30 and Andrew in Casey to have teeth pulled at 1:30, we got through it all though and made it home around 3. I was so relieved to have gotten it all done with no conflicts.
I am thankful to say this has been a better week for my UC. I even went for a mile walk this morning. I love when I get back to being me. I got up at 3 this morning, a little prednisone-induced insomnia, but I loved how my morning went anyway.
I have stopped all of my "extra-curricular" activities until I get the Humira started. My doctor prescribed rest, rest, and rest and I can feel it is working. I miss Yoga on Tuesdays, AWANA on Wednesdays and Band on Thursdays, but this time I have really found the value in coming home of an evening and not doing much. Andrew has fixed supper most of the time so I truly do just come home and veg. A friend of mine from band sent me my music so I can practice, and playing my flute is always good for me.
This week, Mom goes to two doctors tomorrow, and Wednesday I have meetings in Springfield, I have a Mammogram on Thursday. Right now those are the only things on my schedule. I do have to tell you, I have the best assistant in the world. We have a fieldworker out sick and I was trying to figure out how to get that office covered for the week. She made it happen, by doing it herself. I know it is not her favorite thing to do, but so very thankful she was willing. That took a BUNCH of stress off of me, especially as much as I need to be out of the office this week myself.
Andrew has work this week, which is always good, and so life just keeps flying right along. Can't believe tomorrow is February.
I am basically living to be healthy for two things right now. 1st, to be good to go with the Humira injections (hopefully okay-ed after the 16th) and then, three of my best friends from High School and I are going to Chicago to see the Van Gogh exhibit at the Art Institute on the 20th of February. I don't know if some of my childhood friends remember, but I had a dog named Van Gogh. Seeing original Van Gogh's really was on my bucket list. And spending the day with people who know me better than absolutely anyone else in the world, AND like me anyway.....priceless.
Happy Sunday!
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Update
Well, if you are are following what is going on with the UC, thought I would share. I did quit bleeding and hurting so bad Tuesday morning, just in time to stay out of the hospital. I am seriously doing 1000 times better than I was a week ago even. I am still tired. I am down to 50 mg of prednisone, but it takes me through a loop of highs and lows, and the ever-present hungry. I am going to try to get up in the morning in time to do some exercise, right now, I'm thinking a Leslie Sansone video, but it is a start.
I have my infection disease appointment on the 16th of February, after I get the okay from him, we can schedule the training for the Humira. I have to see the dermatologist too. I had that appointment scheduled for the 3rd of February but had to reschedule it for a work conflict. It is now on the 25th but Dr. Peterson said we didn't have to wait on it to start the Humira, I will just need to see her once a year for skin cancer screening.
So, this is the week, I am planning on getting life all back to normal. I am planning on going to Holy Yoga on Tuesday (it's restorative night, so it's pretty laid back), AWANA on Wednesday, band on Thursday. Friday, I take Mom to the neurologist in Terre Haute at 9:30 and Andrew to the dentist to have teeth pulled at 1:30. That one may turn into a long day. I also am supposed to play at an LTC ballgame with the Pep Band Saturday night.
So, here is to a normal, no-crazier-than-normal week.......Bring it on!
I have my infection disease appointment on the 16th of February, after I get the okay from him, we can schedule the training for the Humira. I have to see the dermatologist too. I had that appointment scheduled for the 3rd of February but had to reschedule it for a work conflict. It is now on the 25th but Dr. Peterson said we didn't have to wait on it to start the Humira, I will just need to see her once a year for skin cancer screening.
So, this is the week, I am planning on getting life all back to normal. I am planning on going to Holy Yoga on Tuesday (it's restorative night, so it's pretty laid back), AWANA on Wednesday, band on Thursday. Friday, I take Mom to the neurologist in Terre Haute at 9:30 and Andrew to the dentist to have teeth pulled at 1:30. That one may turn into a long day. I also am supposed to play at an LTC ballgame with the Pep Band Saturday night.
So, here is to a normal, no-crazier-than-normal week.......Bring it on!
Sunday, January 17, 2016
What's on My Mind
That is a loaded question this week. I last posted the day after my colonoscopy. So much has happened in that time that I'm not even really sure where to begin. We did get Robert a truck, or correction--Robert got himself a truck. Someone told me last night we needed to stop buying him new trucks, so I thought I better confirm; his money, not mine. On Sunday, he broke up with his girlfriend, I do understand his reasons, but this one will still take some adjusting for all of us.
I mentioned last week that I had talked to my doctor Friday night, I was still having issues from having biopsies then, this week, I ended up with a full-on UC flare. I have been in and out of work all week, trying to replicate down time, and sitting with my feet up. When you are a strong type-A personality, you have to consider when not being at work causes you more stress than being there, as I said, I opted for a happy medium. Don't get me wrong, the assistant coordinator CAN do my job, but she is busy too, and I want to do my job. Anyway, holiday tomorrow is a good thing.
I have until Tuesday to get to doing better or I have to go to the hospital. I am not in nearly as much pain now, so I think there is a good chance I will stay away. After talking to my doc again this last Friday night, we are pushing forward with the Humira. I am going to ask for some prayers here. I have a friend who is on it and loves it. My doctor still wants me to be thoroughly checked out before he will approve it. I have to see an infectious disease doctor as well as a dermatologist, then have tests and if it looks like I am a good candidate, we move forward. Because of the consistent damage, it doesn't sound like resection is a possibility; removal would be the other option. I do not want to go there.
I have read the horror stories, I have read the good stuff. The good stuff looks really good and by what I am reading, and what Dr. Peterson has told me, that is why we are jumping through all of these hoops before I start, if it looks like I am likely to wind up a horror story, we aren't going there. I want to be successful. I hate failure, so setting me up to not be a horror story is a good thing.
As I said, prayers are greatly appreciated.
Andrew threw some excitement into the mix this week as well. Sunday, his face swelled up like a balloon. Because of working for himself and just starting out, I had not gotten him dental insurance last year, we went for the year trying to self medicate some bad teeth. Sunday, he was eating garlic, a teaspoon at a time. I had gotten him dental insurance this year and Monday I called to see if it was active, it was, so we made a trip to the dentist. He has a minimum of 6 teeth that need pulled. We are doing 2 on the 29th. The dentist would really like to try to save a couple so he could have a partial plate instead of full on dentures. At least we got him some antibiotics. Needless to say, neither one of us have just felt stellar this week, but he demanded that it was more important for me to rest than him. He has been a God-sent this week, fixing supper, doing laundry, and keeping the dishes done up. It is his slow time of year but he still had work 3 days out of 5 last week. That's a blessing too.
Yesterday, the guys stayed home from the farm and got all of my Christmas decorations taken down. This was one of my main stressors about being home. I am not supposed to lift when I am having a flare, I am so happy my house is back to normal!
Last night, Andrew and I went to the Jasper County Talent Show, part 1. What awesome talent we have in the JC. Last night's contestants were all smaller kids, Kindergarten through 6th grade. This afternoon it continues with the Jr. High and High School students. I am looking so very forward to it. (and best wishes to my Sunday School student, Ashley!).
We had a huge, unexpected blessing yesterday afternoon too. I had been praying about what all of these medical expenses I was going to rack up was going to do to us and the answer came in the mail. God is good, All the time.
I have asked for some help on facebook about the history of our house, I am finding some really neat information. I am going to have to find out more about Carmen Earnest, sounds like she was someone I would have really liked and I believe she owned this house when I first fell in love with.
So, it's Sunday morning, time to go get dressed for church, the snow is falling and though it doesn't sound like we are going to get a lot, I love the peacefulness of it.
Meatloaf is made, Mac and Cheese is ready to go in the oven. Sounds like perfect lunch food for snow coming down. I promised the cat I was staying at home all day tomorrow and vegging one more day.
Happy Sunday!
I mentioned last week that I had talked to my doctor Friday night, I was still having issues from having biopsies then, this week, I ended up with a full-on UC flare. I have been in and out of work all week, trying to replicate down time, and sitting with my feet up. When you are a strong type-A personality, you have to consider when not being at work causes you more stress than being there, as I said, I opted for a happy medium. Don't get me wrong, the assistant coordinator CAN do my job, but she is busy too, and I want to do my job. Anyway, holiday tomorrow is a good thing.
I have until Tuesday to get to doing better or I have to go to the hospital. I am not in nearly as much pain now, so I think there is a good chance I will stay away. After talking to my doc again this last Friday night, we are pushing forward with the Humira. I am going to ask for some prayers here. I have a friend who is on it and loves it. My doctor still wants me to be thoroughly checked out before he will approve it. I have to see an infectious disease doctor as well as a dermatologist, then have tests and if it looks like I am a good candidate, we move forward. Because of the consistent damage, it doesn't sound like resection is a possibility; removal would be the other option. I do not want to go there.
I have read the horror stories, I have read the good stuff. The good stuff looks really good and by what I am reading, and what Dr. Peterson has told me, that is why we are jumping through all of these hoops before I start, if it looks like I am likely to wind up a horror story, we aren't going there. I want to be successful. I hate failure, so setting me up to not be a horror story is a good thing.
As I said, prayers are greatly appreciated.
Andrew threw some excitement into the mix this week as well. Sunday, his face swelled up like a balloon. Because of working for himself and just starting out, I had not gotten him dental insurance last year, we went for the year trying to self medicate some bad teeth. Sunday, he was eating garlic, a teaspoon at a time. I had gotten him dental insurance this year and Monday I called to see if it was active, it was, so we made a trip to the dentist. He has a minimum of 6 teeth that need pulled. We are doing 2 on the 29th. The dentist would really like to try to save a couple so he could have a partial plate instead of full on dentures. At least we got him some antibiotics. Needless to say, neither one of us have just felt stellar this week, but he demanded that it was more important for me to rest than him. He has been a God-sent this week, fixing supper, doing laundry, and keeping the dishes done up. It is his slow time of year but he still had work 3 days out of 5 last week. That's a blessing too.
Yesterday, the guys stayed home from the farm and got all of my Christmas decorations taken down. This was one of my main stressors about being home. I am not supposed to lift when I am having a flare, I am so happy my house is back to normal!
Last night, Andrew and I went to the Jasper County Talent Show, part 1. What awesome talent we have in the JC. Last night's contestants were all smaller kids, Kindergarten through 6th grade. This afternoon it continues with the Jr. High and High School students. I am looking so very forward to it. (and best wishes to my Sunday School student, Ashley!).
We had a huge, unexpected blessing yesterday afternoon too. I had been praying about what all of these medical expenses I was going to rack up was going to do to us and the answer came in the mail. God is good, All the time.
I have asked for some help on facebook about the history of our house, I am finding some really neat information. I am going to have to find out more about Carmen Earnest, sounds like she was someone I would have really liked and I believe she owned this house when I first fell in love with.
So, it's Sunday morning, time to go get dressed for church, the snow is falling and though it doesn't sound like we are going to get a lot, I love the peacefulness of it.
Meatloaf is made, Mac and Cheese is ready to go in the oven. Sounds like perfect lunch food for snow coming down. I promised the cat I was staying at home all day tomorrow and vegging one more day.
Happy Sunday!
Friday, January 8, 2016
Starting the New Year
I am seeing so many positive posts on facebook that makes it look like 2016 is starting off well for lots of my friends and family. Ours has started off pretty non-eventful, Andrew and I watched tv until about 9:30 and then went to bed on New Year's Eve. I had to get creative to see the Rose Bowl parade this year as with the Roku, I would have had to wait. I watched it from a live feed in California and loved it!
The year started out with a bang at work as well. One of my dear friends and co-workers retired the last working day of the year, so several of us took on new responsibility in her absence. I think it has to be a tribute that several of us are stepping up to fill different areas of her shoes.
I also spent two days with sick verifiers so I took on that hat for a couple of days. Let me just tell you, that is the one thing that I am so very bad at. Remember, I was never a verifier, so I know I don't do it as well as the girls who do it all the time. I tell all the vendors this as well. It is good to get to talk with them on this level and I know it is good for me to switch gears and remember what the girls in the field are going through.
Thursday was the highlight of my week, or not. I had a colonoscopy. My third colonoscopy in 5 years and 5 months. I do have to tell you, because I have Ulcerative Colitis, they did a "gentle prep" and I have to say it was a million times better than the first time. My second one, 151 weeks to the day from the third one, was unplanned and unprepped, it was still not fun. I guess I gave them quite a scare though yesterday. I was already under the first sedation medicine and I was talking to one of the nurses. We were talking about being type A. Right before I went out, I said, "I am so Type A, I will probably drive home". They all went in a frenzie, and apparently went running to Andrew and telling him to NOT let me drive home. Well, duh......why do they listen to anything said after sedation?
When I woke up, I was seeing three of everything and felt like I was being raced very quickly down the hallway by two very fast talking nurses. The downside is I heard what they were talking about---how many biopsies my doctor took. The nurses lost count.
I need to back up and say, I was really expecting this report to be better. As I was down to seeing two of everything, here come Doctor Peterson. He told me he wasn't happy, things were worse. I then proceeded to tell him I had quit taking one of my meds because I realized it was causing some problems. So he told me a different one he wanted to try.
After I got a little more with it, I started realizing what he said, and was pretty sure what he wanted to do, I didn't. This morning, I did some research on the medicine he wanted to start me on and sure enough, it contained Asacol. The worst of the worst for me. I emailed him.
Let me just tell you, I have THE. BEST, DOCTOR, IN, THE, WORLD. He called me at 5 this evening and apologized for not remembering my adversity to Asacol. Okay, he made that decision standing over me, without any of my records. He really thought he should have remembered I can't handle it. Okay, I know, I would have been the same way, but somehow when he does it, I know that's not normal. Anyway, I have a friend who was just put on Humira and loves it, so I told him her results. He wants me to wait a couple of weeks on just what I am doing now and see where I am, I am to call him back in two weeks and let him know how I am doing, if I think I need the Humira, we will go forward. If I think I am doing well, we won't go there yet. have I mentioned I have the best doctor in the world? I told Andrew last night on our way home, he is such a sweet, caring guy, I truly hope he has a life outside of his medical practice.
Oh, and of course, he had to tell me why he took so many biopsies. He didn't see anything that looked like cancer but he still needs to monitor for change. If there would be any significant change, it could be pre-cancer and we would have to talk about removing the colon. I am so not ready to go there and I did promise him that if I didn't feel like I was doing really well in two weeks I would gladly sign up for a shot in my stomach once a week.
So, today, I was back at work, lots to do but it was a good day because I got lots done. :-)
Tomorrow we go look at a truck for Robert to replace the one he totaled the day after Christmas. Funny, he found this one at the same dealership he got his first really nice car, so we are hoping it is just as nice. I also have my next devotional on my other blog Louder Than the Voices ready to go. Check it out after about 2 in the morning.
So, 2016 isn't off to a bad start for us either, Andrew has had work this week and that is great for this time of year and we are all still standing.
Happy Friday night!
The year started out with a bang at work as well. One of my dear friends and co-workers retired the last working day of the year, so several of us took on new responsibility in her absence. I think it has to be a tribute that several of us are stepping up to fill different areas of her shoes.
I also spent two days with sick verifiers so I took on that hat for a couple of days. Let me just tell you, that is the one thing that I am so very bad at. Remember, I was never a verifier, so I know I don't do it as well as the girls who do it all the time. I tell all the vendors this as well. It is good to get to talk with them on this level and I know it is good for me to switch gears and remember what the girls in the field are going through.
Thursday was the highlight of my week, or not. I had a colonoscopy. My third colonoscopy in 5 years and 5 months. I do have to tell you, because I have Ulcerative Colitis, they did a "gentle prep" and I have to say it was a million times better than the first time. My second one, 151 weeks to the day from the third one, was unplanned and unprepped, it was still not fun. I guess I gave them quite a scare though yesterday. I was already under the first sedation medicine and I was talking to one of the nurses. We were talking about being type A. Right before I went out, I said, "I am so Type A, I will probably drive home". They all went in a frenzie, and apparently went running to Andrew and telling him to NOT let me drive home. Well, duh......why do they listen to anything said after sedation?
When I woke up, I was seeing three of everything and felt like I was being raced very quickly down the hallway by two very fast talking nurses. The downside is I heard what they were talking about---how many biopsies my doctor took. The nurses lost count.
I need to back up and say, I was really expecting this report to be better. As I was down to seeing two of everything, here come Doctor Peterson. He told me he wasn't happy, things were worse. I then proceeded to tell him I had quit taking one of my meds because I realized it was causing some problems. So he told me a different one he wanted to try.
After I got a little more with it, I started realizing what he said, and was pretty sure what he wanted to do, I didn't. This morning, I did some research on the medicine he wanted to start me on and sure enough, it contained Asacol. The worst of the worst for me. I emailed him.
Let me just tell you, I have THE. BEST, DOCTOR, IN, THE, WORLD. He called me at 5 this evening and apologized for not remembering my adversity to Asacol. Okay, he made that decision standing over me, without any of my records. He really thought he should have remembered I can't handle it. Okay, I know, I would have been the same way, but somehow when he does it, I know that's not normal. Anyway, I have a friend who was just put on Humira and loves it, so I told him her results. He wants me to wait a couple of weeks on just what I am doing now and see where I am, I am to call him back in two weeks and let him know how I am doing, if I think I need the Humira, we will go forward. If I think I am doing well, we won't go there yet. have I mentioned I have the best doctor in the world? I told Andrew last night on our way home, he is such a sweet, caring guy, I truly hope he has a life outside of his medical practice.
Oh, and of course, he had to tell me why he took so many biopsies. He didn't see anything that looked like cancer but he still needs to monitor for change. If there would be any significant change, it could be pre-cancer and we would have to talk about removing the colon. I am so not ready to go there and I did promise him that if I didn't feel like I was doing really well in two weeks I would gladly sign up for a shot in my stomach once a week.
So, today, I was back at work, lots to do but it was a good day because I got lots done. :-)
Tomorrow we go look at a truck for Robert to replace the one he totaled the day after Christmas. Funny, he found this one at the same dealership he got his first really nice car, so we are hoping it is just as nice. I also have my next devotional on my other blog Louder Than the Voices ready to go. Check it out after about 2 in the morning.
So, 2016 isn't off to a bad start for us either, Andrew has had work this week and that is great for this time of year and we are all still standing.
Happy Friday night!
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