Sunday, August 21, 2016

Goodnight weekend

I mostly rested Saturday, and then took the kids to a birthday party, and shopping for a gift first--a record-short, 15 min trip to the store! I will note that I did not feel like going and I was uncomfortable the whole time, but it was good anyway. Glad Joanna could go to her friend's party. Thomas enjoyed himself too.
Sunday We all went to church, and had lunch per Joanna's request at Osaka, then home. I started laundry, then relaxed between laundry loads, except and quickly cleaning Jack's cage and bathing Jack with Joanna. Not pleasant but needed and Joanna was sweet!

Then the kids and I took a quick trip to the gym. I swam about 25 min. I fixed them and myself a quick dinner. Jason had a Diet Coke for dinner. ;/)

Now I realize I did all my chores! It made a difference having several good nights of sleep this week. Even though last night and the night before were poor sleep nights, I was still able to do my chores well and I'm happy. Here's hoping I well sleep well and I did not overdo it on those chores.

On a sad note, we missed a funeral. I didn't realize it, as I thought it was last Tuesday, during the day. I didn't know or forgot about the event today. God bless the families. I wasn't up for being out in the car any more though. I'm sorry to say that.

I'm glad I did more than I had but I'm still not up for all others would have me do. There was a long list of unmet expectations of others. Not mentioning what I simply missed!

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Monday, August 15, 2016

Don't get too excited...

Well, I did sleep well those two days, then it was back to the
regular, 3 hrs per night, Friday and Saturday night.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Sleep! Yay!

Wednesday night, for the first time since the beginning of April, I slept 5 hours in one stretch! 10-3! Then, I was able to doze back off for a few minutes between 5:30 and 6.

Thursday night, I slept 11-5! What in the world!

I'm feeling amazing... Praise God for his help!!!

There is a story behind how I finally got the needed relief! But I just wanted to record the wonderful news, before I fall asleep for hopefully a nice sleep!


-Amy

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

More waiting

Last Monday I saw dr dewese for medicine and he gave me something to take at night, to call in 2 days. I reported that it wasn't effective on Wednesday. Through leaving messages we ended up on Thursday that Dr D would defer to the pain consultants appointment. I have continued taking the meds hoping it would help in the meantime waiting for the appointment on 8/08.

On 8/08, I visited the Pain Consultants of East TN, and ultimately scheduled an SI injection on 9/16 and 9/21. But that is based on the doctor availability after 9/11 when the insurance begins to pay for this whole process and nerve ablation. A staff member estimated the cost of 490 for one SI injection, to pay out of pocket to get this earlier than insurance coverage begins. There may be an earlier appointment with a different doctor.

I had asked if there was anything that could be done in the meantime, and described the problem of not sleeping, and he said just said that was it. I think there might be a problem, because I asked the nurse to speak to him about medication. She took my question and said they had an order for the procedure only and they couldn't talk about medicine.

I looked back at my patients portal record of the 8/01 visit and I saw dr l's notes for referral for procedure and pain management.

I will talk to someone at PC tomorrow to find out if they have that on the referral order or not. Obviously it was his intention, but was not realized.


-Amy

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Appointment today

I'm trying not to be optimistic today. I am afraid I will be disappointed if I expect some relief from pain at this appointment. I can't help hoping. Dr D put off changing my meds last week after I reported that they didn't help. And I was at the end if my rope already last week. He wanted to defer to this new doctor. So I tied a knot at the end of the rope to hang on.

-Amy

Ibuprofen is key

I skipped my self prescribed 800mg dose of ibuprofen this morning, just to see how much it helps. Yes, it helps! Dear Lord! At 8:15 I took it at work.

I felt it necessary to try the day without it. I don't want it to be part of my baseline. I also don't want that dose to be part of a new normal at the end of my next treatment.

However, my short term goal is to sleep through the night.
Next, it would be good to get the diagnosis confirmed.
Then, perform a procedure I may not have had yet but that is an available treatment approved by my insurance.
Then, a month from now...after 9/11, pursue the next procedure that will be a available/approved at that time.

I'm not sure how to keep making it through the day, though. I'm quite unhappy in the current situation, between a rock and a hard place. My husband has made me afraid to speak at work about this, and I am somewhat uncomfortable talking to him now. It's hard to hear, "just be thankful you have a job." And I know it is true, but it doesn't make me feel better.
-Amy